Singing conductor Barbara Hannigan: 'You just become the music'

Renowned Canadian opera singer Barbara Hannigan joins Shad to discuss her rare talent for conducting and singing — at the same time. She also reflects on how the male-dominated conventions of opera are changing.

"When I was a kid, I didn't even realize women could be conductors," says the soprano, adding that, today, she doesn't think of herself conductor with qualifiers. 

"When I think of myself conducting, I don't think 'female conducting' ... you just become the music." 

Hannigan makes her North American debut in Toronto on Wednesday night.