Grammy-winning soprano Barbara Hannigan brings her vocal chops to Vancouver, November 30
The artist, who’s also a conductor, will be accompanied by esteemed pianist Bertrand Chamayou in a Vancouver Recital Society performance

Barbara Hannigan.
Vancouver Recital Society presents Barbara Hannigan and Bertrand Chamayou on November 30 at 7:30 pm at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
BORN IN NOVA Scotia and based in France, Grammy-winning soprano Barbara Hannigan has given world-premiere performances of nearly 100 compositions. The recording artist and conductor has tackled some of the most difficult roles in the repertoire. The New Yorker once wrote of her: “The intrepid Canadian soprano has emerged over the last half decade as one of the most vital and original musicians of her generation.”
Local audiences will have the chance to experience Hannigan’s musical mastery when she appears courtesy the Vancouver Recital Society in a concert on November 30 featuring accompaniment by acclaimed piano player Bertrand Chamayou.
A member of the Order of Canada and an Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in France, Hannigan will perform French composer Olivier Messiaen’s “Chants de Terre et de Ciel”, a song cycle in six movements, and American composer John Zorn’s “Jumalattaret”, a song cycle in praise of nine Finnish goddesses. Rounding out the program are two piano solos: “Poème-nocturne, Op. 61” and “Vers la flamme, Op. 72”, both by Russian composer Alexander Scriabin.
Hannigan made her conducting debut at age 40 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris and has become known for creating dynamic programs that combine new and older repertoire. She is the Reinbert de Leeuw Professor of Music at London’s Royal Academy of Music and has been visiting professor at the Juilliard School in New York.
Chamayou has performed such venues as the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, New York’s Lincoln Center, and London’s Wigmore Hall.
A pre-concert talk takes place at 6:45 pm.
Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.
Related Articles
Among the other highlights are the annual Christmas With the Bach Choir, Behind the Keys, and SpringSong
Tio Chorinho and Flávia Nascimento’s vibrant Brazilian rhythms, Shpilkis’s brass-driven klezmer, Julian Taylor’s soulful voice, and more
From an indie garage-pop concert by Twin River to a plant pot–decorating workshop, here are just a few of the free offerings in store
Vancouver-based Drew Tarves takes his music out of the bedroom and across the country
Ontario-based aficionados of vintage gear and saucy slang bring Prohibition-era daring to this year’s event
Ahead of her Vancouver Folk Music Festival sets, the award-winning singer-songwriter reflects on the power of performing in her Nation’s language and representing her community
Headlining at this year’s Vancouver Folk Music Festival, the electrifying Marrakesh-born outfit plugs in traditional instruments and rocks out
Free events will take place in seven Vancouver parks from August 6 to 16
Event’s artistic director recommends under-the-radar discoveries, from Tanzanian polyphony to a smashing trad Irish trio
Performances take place Thursdays at 5 pm, featuring co-presentations with Indian Summer Festival, Vancouver Folk Music Festival, and more
The premiere of a Dorothy Chang composition and a guest appearance by harpist Rita Costanzi are among the highlights
At this year’s Indian Summer Festival, the sarod virtuoso draws on generations of musical mastery to create improvisations that reflect everything from audience response to the time of day
Bassist-vocalist will be joined by a special group of musicians to play tracks off her past albums and forthcoming project
Music director Jacques Lacombe leads the Vancouver Opera Orchestra in an evening of Italian arias and duets
Audience members will hear tracks off her latest album Odyssey, which honours her reignited love for composing
Performance of the legendary work features the Pacific Baroque Orchestra, Vancouver Cantata Singers, and four vocal soloists
Marking 400 years since the death of Ōmori Sōkun, shakuhachi master Alcvin Ryūzen Ramos leads a series of programs about an instrument making a quiet return
Headliner at Khatsahlano Street Party’s Burrard Stage takes a decidedly modern approach to getting its music out into the world
Performances by the Wild Moccasin Dancers, jazz trumpeter Feven Kidane, party band Dr. Strangelove, and plenty more artists are in store
Flowing from a rich mix of ancestries, the duo’s electronic-based sound points to forgotten but ever-present connections to the natural world
Nostalgic activities planned for the 10-block music event include a Scavenger Hunt, a Donut Chomp Challenge, and so much more
Pianist brings his expressive playing to Performance Works alongside bassist André Lachance, drummer Joe Poole, and trumpeter Brad Turner
The Pacific Baroque Orchestra led by Alexander Weimann joins the acclaimed Montreal-based Baroque dance company for a spellbinding show
Soprano Tamar Simon, baritone Geoffrey Schellenberg, and pianist Richard Epp perform an afternoon of arias, duets, and operatic drama
A.S.A.P. Duo and three other specialists in historical performance receive recognition for innovative visions
With his new Asante Trio, the multi-talented artist explores the connection between African and Cuban music
From the Brazilian rhythms of Tio Chorinho with Flávia Nascimento to Fijian dancers VOU, there’s something for everyone at the 38th annual event
Joined by her nine-piece MAQkestra at the BlueShore at CapU, Filipino-Canadian keyboardist honours the late musician’s thrilling cultural fusion
With guests such as mezzo-soprano Emma Parkinson, the themed programs range through masterpieces, from the Romantic to the avant-garde
Borealis String Quartet violinist Yuel Yawney and team set innovative programs for strings, piano, and more in tranquil surroundings