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Tier 3 · vertical & regionalfull biography
Barbara Hannigan
Person · female · Canada · Waverley · born 1971 · recording since 2004
Canadian operatic soprano
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Also known as 芭芭拉·汉尼根
Timeline
23 events▣ Album 15✦ Award 6◦ Birth 1★ Debut release 1
1970s
2000s
· Debut release
Debut release: Gideon (Oratorio in Three Parts)
First documented Album in the MusicBrainz discography.
source: musicbrainz
2010s
2020s
Biography
English biography1,062 words · 8 sectionssource: wikipedia-en · licence CC BY-SA 4.0 · revision 1378936275
Biography
Barbara Hannigan (born 8 May 1971) is a Canadian soprano and conductor, and is currently the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. She is particularly known for her performances of contemporary classical music, and in 2025, she received the Polar Music Prize.
Early life and education
Hannigan is from Waverley, Nova Scotia. She moved to Toronto at the age of 17.
She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1993 and a Master of Music degree in 1998. She continued her studies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, the Steans Institute for Young Artists at the Ravinia Festival, and the Centre d'arts Orford. She also studied for one year at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.
Career
Hannigan is known for her performances of contemporary music. She sang her first world premiere at the age of 17. As of 2023, she has premiered approximately 85 contemporary compositions. These include Written on Skin by George Benjamin (2017); La plus forte by Gerald Barry (2007); let me tell you by Hans Abrahamsen; Split the Lark (2022) and Star Catcher (2022) by John Zorn; and Je ne suis pas une fable à conter (2023) by Golfam Khayam.
Hannigan is noted for her performances of György Ligeti's Mysteries of the Macabre (a concert version of a scene from his opera Le Grand Macabre); in 2011 she began to conduct the work in addition to singing the vocal part. Her work in contemporary opera has included singing in the premieres of Louis Andriessen's Writing to Vermeer, Gerald Barry's The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant and The Importance of Being Earnest, Jan van de Putte's Wet Snow, and Kris Defoort's House of the Sleeping Beauties. She has worked with choreographer Sasha Waltz on productions of Toshio Hosokawa's Matsukaze and Pascal Dusapin's Passion. Hannigan received critical acclaim for her performance in Alban Berg's Lulu, which included dancing en pointe. In 2014, Hannigan sang the role of Marie in Bernd Alois Zimmermann's opera Die Soldaten at the Bavarian State Opera. For her performance as Marie, she won the 2015 Der Faust award.
Hannigan regularly performs in concert as both a soprano and conductor. She has worked with the Berlin Philharmonic, Munich Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France, Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic, Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Britten Sinfonia, Gulbenkian Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Copenhagen Philharmonic, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. She won the 2014 Ovatie award for her performance as soprano and conductor at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam with the Ludwig Orchestra.
In 2019, the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (GSO) named Hannigan its principal guest conductor. In December 2023, the GSO announced that her contract has been extended until the 2027–2028 season. She was the Première Artiste Invitée of the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France for three seasons starting in 2022. Hannigan first guest-conducted the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 2022. In May 2024, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra named her its next chief conductor and artistic director, for a three-year term beginning in 2026. She is also the Associate Artist of the London Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne.
She is a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. In 2026 she was named a recipient of the National Arts Centre Award.
Honors and awards
Personalité Musicale de l'Année du Syndicat de la Presse Française – 2012
Opernwelt Singer of the Year – 2013
Member of the Order of Canada – 2016
Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal Album (for Crazy Girl Crazy
Crazy Girl CrazySpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 7 tracks1Sequenza III9:012Lulu Suite: I. Rondo14:253Lulu Suite: II. Ostinato3:544Lulu Suite: III. Lied der Lulu2:455Lulu Suite: IV. Variationen3:466Lulu Suite: V. Adagio10:267Girl Crazy Suite13:11) – 2018
Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik Ehrenpreise – 2018
Rolf Schock Prize in the Musical Arts – 2018
Léonie Sonning Music Prize – 2020
Dresden Music Festival Prize – 2020
Officier des Arts et des Lettres – 2022
Gramophone Classical Music Award for Artist of the Year – 2022
Musical America Artist of the Year – 2025
Polar Music Prize – 2025
National Arts Centre Award – 2026
Positions held
Principal Guest Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (2019 - present)
Première Artiste Invitée of the Orchestre philharmonique de Radio France (2022 - 2025)
Associate Artist of the London Symphony Orchestra (2022 - present)
Reinbert de Leeuw Professor of Music at the Royal Academy of Music (2023 - present)
Principale Cheffe Invitée of the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne (2024 - present)
Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra (2026 - present)
Recordings
Spirit Song: The Vocal Music of Harry Freedman (Centrediscs, 2000)
Writing to Vermeer (Nonesuch Records, 2006)
Luca Francesconi (Kairos, 2008)
Correspondances, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen (Deutsche Grammophon, 2012)
Lulu (Bel Air Classiques, 2014)
George Benjamin: Written on Skin (Nimbus Records, 2014)
let me tell you, with the Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks conducted by Andris Nelsons (Winter & Winter Records, 2016)
Socrate, with Reinbert de Leeuw (Winter & Winter, 2016)
Crazy Girl Crazy, with the Ludwig Orchestra (Alpha Classics, 2017)
Stravinsky, with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simon Rattle (LSO Live, 2017)
La Passione, with the Ludwig Orchestra (Alpha Classics, 2020)
Dance With Me, with the Ludwig Orchestra (Alpha Classics, 2022)
Sehnsucht, with Raoul Steffani, Camerata RCO, and Rolf Verbeek (Alpha Classics, 2022)
Infinite Voyage, with Bertrand Chamayou and the Emerson String Quartet (Alpha Classics, 2023)
Messiaen, with Bertrand Chamayou (Alpha Classics, 2024)
Hannigan Sings Zorn: Volume One, with Stephan Gosling (Tzadik, 2024)
Hannigan Sings Zorn: Volume Two, with Stephan Gosling, Ikue Mori, Jorge Roeder, Ches Smith, Jay Campbell, Sae Hashimoto, Chris Otto, John Pickford Richards, and Austin Wulliman (Tzadik, 2024)
Electric Fields with David Chalmin, Katia Labèque, Marielle Labèque (Alpha, 2025)
La Donna del lago with Massimo Pupillo, David Chalmin (2026)
An American Dream? with Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (Alpha, 2026)
DVDs
Canadees Podiumdier (NTR, 2014)
Lulu (Bel Air Classiques, 2014)
Written on Skin (Opus Arte, 2014)
I'm a creative animal (Accentus Music, 2015)
C'est presque au bout du monde (3e Scène, 2015)
Hamlet (Opus Arte, 2018)
La Voix Humaine (Arthaus Musik, 2018)
Lessons in Love and Violence (Opus Arte, 2019)
The Rake's Progress and Taking Risks (Accentus Music, 2020)
Personal life
Hannigan was married to Dutch theatre director Gijs de Lange until 2015. Since 2017, she has lived in Paris. From 2015 to 2024, she was in a relationship with French actor Mathieu Amalric. Since 2021 she has lived in Finistère Brittany France.
Discography & profile
Normalised profile
Percentiles are computed over every artist in the database, so a tier-3 artist can still sit in the 95th percentile on a single axis.
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 24 | 85.8th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 20 | 87.1th |
| Studio albums | 15 | 94.6th |
| Awards recorded | 6 | 97.7th |
| Timeline events | 23 | 95th |
| Recording span (years) | 22 | 49.6th |
| Genres | 2 | 74th |
Percentiles are computed at render time; missing values mean the artist has no data on that axis.
Discography (20 release groups · 15 studio albums)
Albums · 15
Gideon (Oratorio in Three Parts)
2004 · studio album
L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato
2005 · studio album
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Tracklist · 49 tracks · 2:08:22
Disc 11L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 1: Ouverture (Concerto grosso, Op. 6, No. 1)6:062L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 2: Accompagnato - Hence, loathed Melancholy (L'Allegro: Tenor)1:533L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 3: Accompagnato - Hence, vain deluding joys (Il Penseroso)1:034L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 4: Air - Come, thou Goddess fair and free (L'Allegro)1:355L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 5: Air - Come rather, Goddess, sage and holy (Il Penseroso: Soprano)3:086L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 6: Air - Haste thee, nymph (L'Allegro: Tenor, Chorus)2:377L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 7: Air - Come and trip it (Tenor, Chorus)2:308L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 8: Accompagnato - Come, pensive Nun (Il Penseroso: Soprano)1:029L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 9: Arioso - Come, but keep thy wonted state (Soprano)1:1910L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 10: Accompagnato - There, held in holy passion still (Soprano); Arioso - Join with thee (Soprano, Chorus)3:4211L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 11: Recitative - Hence, loathed Melancholy (L'Allegro: Tenor, Soprano)0:4112L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 12: Air - Mirth, admit me of thy crew (Soprano)3:5613L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 13: Accompagnato - First and chief, on golden wing (Il Penseroso: Soprano)0:5014L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 14: Air - Sweet bird (Soprano)10:4115L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 15: Recitative - If I give thee honour due (L'Allegro: Bass)0:1716L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 16: Air - Mirth, admit me of thy crew (Bass)2:2917L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 17: Air - Oft, on a plat of rising ground (Il Penseroso: Soprano)2:4818L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 18: Air - Far from all resort of mirth (Soprano)2:4919L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 19: Recitative - If I give thee honour due (L'Allegro: Tenor)0:1520L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 20: Air - Let me wander not unseen (Tenor)1:2421L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 21: Air - Straight mine eye (Soprano)1:5122L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 22: Accompagnato - Mountains, on whose barren breast (Bass)23L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part I, No. 23: Air - Or let the merry bells ring round (Soprano) - And young and old come forth to play (Chorus)4:11Disc 21L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 24: Ouverture (Concerto grosso, Op. 6, No. 3)5:322L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 25: Accompagnato - Hence, vain deluding Joys (Il Penseroso: Soprano)1:173L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 26: Air - Sometimes let gorgeous Tragedy (Soprano)3:584L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 27: Air - But oh, sad virgin (Soprano)5:455L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 28: Recitative - Thus, Night, oft see me (Soprano)0:186L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 29: Bass solo (L'Allegro: Bass) and Chorus - Populous cities please me then3:487L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 30: Air - There let Hymen oft appear (Soprano)2:328L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 31: Accompagnato - Me, when the Sun begins to fling (Il Penseroso: Soprano)0:409L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 32: Air - Hide me from Day's garnish eye (Soprano)3:1510L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 33: Air - I'll to the well-trod stage anon (Il Allegro: Tenor)1:4611L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 34: Air - And ever against eating cares (Soprano)2:5112L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 35: Air - Orpheus self may have his head (Soprano)2:4313L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 36: Air and Chorus - These delights if thou canst give (Tenor, Chorus)3:4514L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 37: Recitative - But ley my due feet never fail (Il Penseroso: Soprano)0:4215L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 38: Chorus - There let the pealing organ blow1:2916L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 39: Air - May at last my weary age (Soprano)3:0917L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part II, No. 40: Chorus - These pleasures, Melancholy, give3:0618L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 41: Ouverture (Concerto for Organ and Orchestra, Op. 7, No. 1)5:3719L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 42: Accompagnato - Hence! Boast not, ye profane (Il Moderato: Bass)0:3820L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 43: Air - Come, with native lustre shine (Bass)2:4221L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 44: Accompagnato - Sweet Temp'rance (Bass); Chorus - All this company serene2:4622L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 45: Air - Come, with gentle hand restrain (Soprano)1:4923L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 46: Recitative - No more short life they then will spend in straying (Tenor)0:4024L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 47: Air - Each action will derive new grace (Tenor)2:0325L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 48: Duet - As steals the morn upon the night (Soprano and Tenor)5:4526L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55: Part III, No. 49: Chorus - Thy pleasures, Moderation, give2:392006 · studio album
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Tracklist · 48 tracks · 2:59:39
Disc 11Rinaldo, HWV 7: Overture5:312Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene I: Recitativo - Aria4:443Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene I: Recitativo2:014Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene I: Aria3:555Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I: Scene I: Recitativo4:116Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene II: Recitativo - Aria3:507Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene III: Aria4:398Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene III: Recitativo - Aria3:389Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene IV: Recitativo4:1010Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene V: Aria - Recitativo ed Accompagnato3:4011Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene V: Aria2:5812Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene VI: Aria4:5413Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene VI: Recitativo - Duetto5:0314Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene VII: Recitativo - Prelude1:1715Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene VII: Aria10:3016Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene VIII: Recitativo - Aria - Recitativo5:1117Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene VIII: Aria3:5118Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act I, Scene IX: Recitative - Aria4:41Disc 21Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene I: Aria5:312Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene II: Recitativo - Recitativo1:163Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene III: Aria a due1:504Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene III: Recitativo - Aria3:165Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene III: Recitativo - Aria3:316Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene IV: Recitativo2:257Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene IV: Aria6:038Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene IV: Recitativo - Aria3:059Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene V: Recitativo - Recitativo3:2010Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene VI: Duetto2:0611Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene VII: Recitativo - Aria4:3312Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene VIII: Recitativo accompagnato - Aria6:5113Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene IX: Recitativo1:5914Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act II, Scene X: Recitativo - Aria6:27Disc 31Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene I: Recitativo - Recitativo1:462Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene II: Sinfonia2:513Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene II: Recitativo - Aria e recitativo4:024Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene III: Recitativo - Recitativo2:465Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene III: Aria4:406Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene IV: Recitativo - Aria4:077Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene V: Recitativo - Recitativo - March4:268Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene VI: Recitativo - Duetto3:419Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene VII: Recitativo - Aria2:5910Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene VIII: Recitativo - Aria4:2311Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene IX: March1:5012Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene IX: Recitativo - Aria5:0113Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene X: Recitativo - Recitativo1:0614Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene XI: Battaglia1:3615Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene XII: Recitativo - Recitativo2:1416Rinaldo, HWV 7 - Act III, Scene XIII: Coro1:14Tobit (Oratorio In Three Parts)
2007 · studio album
2010 · studio album
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Tracklist · 10 tracks · 1:00:11
1Stringtrio, op. 10: I. Allegro molto moderato7:062Stringtrio, op. 10: II. Andante (molto cantabile)4:163Stringtrio, op. 10: III. Allegro molto vivace4:494Die Liebe – Cantata, op. 14: I. Adagio – Vivace – Un poco mosso – Tempo4:595Die Liebe – Cantata, op. 14: II. Andante tranquillo – Agitat2:356Die Liebe – Cantata, op. 14: III. Allegro moderato – Tranquillo2:147Die Liebe – Cantata, op. 14: IV. Tempo I3:128Quintet for Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Cello and Piano: I. Tema con variazioni17:259Quintet for Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Cello and Piano: II. Intermezzo romantico (lento)4:3710Quintet for Clarinet, Bassoon, Violin, Cello and Piano: III. Rondo (vivace giocoso)8:582013 · studio album
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Tracklist · 30 tracks · 1:19:09
1Les Illuminations: Fanfare2:062Les Illuminations: villes2:293Les Illuminations: Phrase1:264Les Illuminations: Antique2:155Les Illuminations: Royaute1:426Les Illuminations: Marine1:037Les Illuminations: Interlude2:388Les Illuminations: Being Beauteous4:189Les Illuminations: Parade2:4410Les Illuminations: Depart2:2111Variations theme of Bridge: Introduction and Theme1:4612Variations theme of Bridge: Adagio2:3413Variations theme of Bridge: March1:0514Variations theme of Bridge: Romance1:2715Variations theme of Bridge: Aria Italiana1:1916Variations theme of Bridge Bourree Classique1:2017Variations theme of Bridge: Wiener Walzer2:5818Variations theme of Bridge: Moto Perpetuo1:0419Variations theme of Bridge: Funeral March3:4820Variations theme of Bridge: Chant1:3821Variations theme of Bridge: Fugue and Finale7:2622Serenade: Prologue1:2123Serenade: Pastoral3:4724Serenade: Nocturne3:5225Serenade: Elegy4:3626Serenade: Dirge3:4527Serenade: Hymn2:1028Serenade: Sonnet4:2829Serenade: Epilogue1:2330Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal4:202013 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 1:42:34
Disc 11Written on Skin: Part One: Scene I: Chorus of Angels3:292Written on Skin: Part One: Scene II: The Protector, Agnès and the Boy7:463Written on Skin: Part One: Scene III: Chorus of Angels2:014Written on Skin: Part One: Scene IV: Agnès and the Boy8:215Written on Skin: Part One: Scene V: The Protector and the Visitors – John and Marie5:466Written on Skin: Part One: Scene VI: Agnès and the Boy8:267Written on Skin: Part Two: Scene VII: The Protector's Bad Dream1:178Written on Skin: Part Two: Scene VIII: The Protector and Agnès8:259Written on Skin: Part Two: Scene IX: The Protector and the Boy8:5610Written on Skin: Part Two: Scene X: Agnès and the Boy5:26Disc 21Written on Skin: Part Three: Scene XI: The Protector, Agnès and the Boy4:062Written on Skin: Part Three: Scene XII: The Protector and Agnès6:073Written on Skin: Part Three: Scene XIII: Chorus of Angels and the Protector6:474Written on Skin: Part Three: Scene XIV: The Protector and Agnès8:205Written on Skin: Part Three: Scene XV: The Boy / Angel 15:166Duet for Piano and Orchestra12:052016 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 32:43
1Let me tell you: Part I: Let me tell you how it was3:512Let me tell you: Part I: O but memory is not one but many2:513Let me tell you: Part I: There was a time, I remember6:004Let me tell you: Part II: Let me tell you how it is2:035Let me tell you: Part II: Now I do not mind6:146Let me tell you: Part III: I know you are there1:017Let me tell you: Part III: I will go out now10:432017 · studio album
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Tracklist · 7 tracks · 57:28
1Sequenza III9:012Lulu Suite: I. Rondo14:253Lulu Suite: II. Ostinato3:544Lulu Suite: III. Lied der Lulu2:455Lulu Suite: IV. Variationen3:466Lulu Suite: V. Adagio10:267Girl Crazy Suite13:112018 · studio album
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Tracklist · 31 tracks · 1:16:56
1Vier Lieder, op. 2: Erwartung3:072Vier Lieder, op. 2: Schenk mir deinen goldenen Kamm (Jesus bettelt)3:333Vier Lieder, op. 2: Erhebung1:084Vier Lieder, op. 2: Waldsonne3:115Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Richard Dehmel für Stimme und Klavier: Ideale Landschaft2:236Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Richard Dehmel für Stimme und Klavier: Am Ufer1:327Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Richard Dehmel für Stimme und Klavier: Himmelfahrt3:288Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Richard Dehmel für Stimme und Klavier: Nächtliche Scheu2:089Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Richard Dehmel für Stimme und Klavier: Helle Nacht2:5710Sieben frühe Lieder: Nacht3:5011Sieben frühe Lieder: Schilflied1:5312Sieben frühe Lieder: Die Nachtigall2:1613Sieben frühe Lieder: Traumgekrönt2:4214Sieben frühe Lieder: Im Zimmer1:1315Sieben frühe Lieder: Liebesode1:5416Sieben frühe Lieder: Sommertage1:2917Lieder, op. 2: Empfängnis3:0018Lieder, op. 2: Frühlingstag1:2319Lieder, op. 5: Tiefe Sehnsucht0:3420Lieder, op. 5: Schlaf nur ein2:3721Lieder, op. 7: Da waren zwei Kinder1:3222Lieder, op. 7: Entbietung1:1523Lieder, op. 7: Irmelin Rose2:4924Fünf Lieder: Die stille Stadt2:5525Fünf Lieder: Laue Sommernacht1:4926Fünf Lieder: Ich wandle unter Blumen1:0627Vier Lieder: Licht in der Nacht3:3728Goethe-Lieder: Mignon I3:3829Goethe-Lieder: Mignon II2:0230Goethe-Lieder: Mignon III3:0831Goethe-Lieder: Kennst du das Land6:472022 · studio album
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Tracklist · 12 tracks · 46:41
1Moonlight Serenade4:112Quien sera3:493Youkali5:474Copacabana3:475Fluffy Ruffles2:466Je veux t’aimer4:257Whispering3:218My Shawl4:349I Could Have Danced All Night2:5810In the Mood3:3611Lambada3:4912Salut d’amour3:382024 · studio album
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Tracklist · 16 tracks · 58:38
1Chants de Terre et de Ciel: No. 1, Bail avec Mi (pour ma femme)3:362Chants de Terre et de Ciel: No. 2, Antienne du silence (pour le jour des Anges gardiens)1:493Chants de Terre et de Ciel: No. 3, Danse du bébé-pilule (pour mon petit Pascal)5:424Chants de Terre et de Ciel: No. 4, Arc-en-ciel d'innocence (pour mon petit Pascal)5:065Chants de Terre et de Ciel: No. 5, Minuit pile et face (pour la mort)4:136Chants de Terre et de Ciel: No. 6, Résurrection (pour le jour de Pâques)4:117Poèmes pour Mi, Premier Livre: No. 1, Action de grâces5:588Poèmes pour Mi, Premier Livre: No. 2, Paysage2:049Poèmes pour Mi, Premier Livre: No. 3, La Maison1:2110Poèmes pour Mi, Premier Livre: No. 4, Épouvante2:3411Poèmes pour Mi, Deuxième Livre: No. 1, L'épouse1:4312Poèmes pour Mi, Deuxième Livre: No. 2, Ta voix2:5913Poèmes pour Mi, Deuxième Livre: No. 3, Les deux guerriers1:2514Poèmes pour Mi, Deuxième Livre: No. 4, Le collier3:0815Poèmes pour Mi, Deuxième Livre: No. 5, Prière exaucée2:3716La mort du Nombre10:122024 · studio album
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Tracklist · 19 tracks · 1:04:13
1Concerto in E-flat major, K060 ʻDumbarton Oaks’: I. Tempo giusto4:482Concerto in E-flat major, K060 ʻDumbarton Oaks’: II. Allegretto4:213Concerto in E-flat major, K060 ʻDumbarton Oaks’: III. Con moto5:324Three Japanese Lyrics, K016: no. 1, Akahito0:505Three Japanese Lyrics, K016: no. 2, Mazatsumi1:046Three Japanese Lyrics, K016: no. 3, Tsaraiuki1:457Two Poems of Balmont, K013: no. 1, The Flower1:148Two Poems of Balmont, K013: no. 2, The Dove1:459Septet, K080: I. [Untitled]3:2610Septet, K080: II. Passacaglia5:1811Septet, K080: III. Gigue3:4012Three Little Songs (recollections of My Childhood), K017: no. 1, The Magpie1:0013Three Little Songs (recollections of My Childhood), K017: no. 2, The Rook1:0214Three Little Songs (recollections of My Childhood), K017: no. 3, The Jackdaw1:1515Octet, K041: I. Sinfonia4:0416Octet, K041: II. Tema con variazioni8:1017Octet, K041: III. Finale3:4518Concertino for Twelve Instruments, K0356:4019Ragtime for Eleven Instruments, K0304:342025 · studio album
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Tracklist · 9 tracks · 1:03:42
1O virga mediatrix7:452Research #13:403Che t’ho fatt’io?4:454O orzchis Ecclesia6:325Lingua ignota5:486Che si può fare?, Pt. 18:507Che si può fare?, Pt. 25:068O nobilissima viriditas7:409O vis aeternitatis13:362026 · studio album
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Tracklist · 14 tracks · 1:11:00
1Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture (Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett): I. Catfish Row3:532Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture (Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett): II. Clara, Clara3:053Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture (Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett): III. Opening Music - IV. Summertime4:064Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture (Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett): V. I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’ - VI. Hurricane Mus4:185Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture (Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett): VII. Bess, You is My Woman Now4:536Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture [Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett]: VIII. Picnic Scene (Oh, I can’t sit down) - IX5:307Porgy and Bess, a Symphonic Picture (Arr. for Orchestra by Robert Russell Bennett): X. It Ain’t Necessarily So - XI. Oh Lord, I’m3:248Dance Symphony: I. Lento - Molto allegro - Adagio molto7:569Dance Symphony: II. Andante moderato7:0710Dance Symphony: III. Allegro vivo5:3511The Carousel Waltz (Arr. for Orchestra by Don Walker)9:1412At the Fair (Arr. for Orchestra and Voice by Barbara Hannigan and Bill Elliott): I. Have I Stayed too Long at the Fair?6:1113At the Fair (Arr. for Orchestra and Voice by Barbara Hannigan and Bill Elliott): II. An American Dream2:2714At the Fair: III. Don’t Rain on My Parade3:21
Album · 3
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Lessons in Love and ViolenceSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 23 tracks · 1:25:02Disc 1 1Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 1: I. It’s Nothing to Do With Loving a Man5:21 2Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 1: II. Not When You Grip My Neck4:41 3Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 1: III. Don’t Call Him Nothing3:01 4Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 2: I. Who Are These People, Mortimer?2:52 5Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 2: II. My Husband Died2:29 6Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 2: III. Bring Me a Cup of Vinegar4:29 7Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 2: IV. Why Do the Poor Sleep Three in a Bed3:09 8Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 3: I. How Can I Love You?3:23 9Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 3: II. Here - Look - Is My Baby King5:00 10Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 3: III. Please, Everyone Be Seated5:58 11Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 4: I. I’m Cold. I Was Dreaming2:54 12Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 4: II. Why Should You Love Him, Tell Me?3:38 13Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 1, Scene 4: III. Then Stay in the Dark3:04 Disc 21Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 5: I. D’You Like Dogs2:13 2Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 5: II. Let the Man In5:30 3Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 5: III. When a Man Will Be Cut Into Pieces2:50 4Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 6: I. Drumming - I Can Hear Drumming3:58 5Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 6: II. Oh, I Am a Bad Person2:53 6Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 6: III. Take It, Mortimer5:30 7Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 6: IV. Here - Look, Is the Living King3:25 8Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 6: V. Why Do I Feel Nothing3:37 9Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 7: I. What Is the Music?2:32 10Lessons in Love and Violence: Part 2, Scene 7: II. Let Me Explain to You the Entertainment2:35 | Live | 7 June 2019 | |
| 2024 | Hannigan Sings Zorn Volume OneSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 3 tracks · 44:321Jumalattaret25:28 2Split the Lark16:27 3Nazdar, Poupon, Nazdar2:37 | Live | 23 August 2024 | |
| 2024 | Hannigan Sings Zorn, Volume TwoSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 4 tracks · 43:581Liber Loagaeth10:55 2Star Catcher10:04 3Ab Eo, Quod8:01 4Pandora’s Box14:58 | Live | 20 September 2024 |
Broadcast · 2
| Cover | Year | Title | Notes | First release |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 2004-09-21: Paradiso, Amsterdam,NetherlandsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 1 track · 22:011Etymo22:01 | Live | — | |
| — | 2009-01-15: Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, Amsterdam, NetherlandsSearch SpotifySearch YouTube MusicTracklist · 7 tracks · 1:12:151Elegia11:03 2Inizio di movimento3:58 3Movimento continuato4:07 4Tropi9:13 5Or voit tout en aventure14:28 6Risognanze16:26 7Quodlibet13:00 | Live | — |
Stats & PK
Percentile within all 23,672 published artists.Put Barbara Hannigan head-to-head →
| Metric | Value | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Wikipedia language versions | 24 | 85.8th |
| Spotify monthly listeners | — | no data |
| Release groups in DB | 20 | 87.1th |
| Studio albums | 15 | 94.6th |
| Awards recorded | 6 | 97.7th |
| Timeline events | 23 | 95th |
| Recording span (years) | 22 | 49.6th |
| Genres | 2 | 74th |
Awards & honours
| Year | Award | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Member of the Order of Canada | won | |
| 2018 | Juno Awards | won | |
| 2018 | Rolf Schock Prize in Musical Arts | won | |
| 2019 | Juno Awards | won | |
| 2020 | Léonie Sonning Music Prize | won | |
| 2025 | Polar Music Prize | won |
Where this record comes from
portrait—Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barbara_Hannigan_%28c%29_Cyrus_Allyar_10.jpgaliases/urls—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/77de9118-8d06-4d22-84a9-f3dd17c3426ddiscography—musicbrainz · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://musicbrainz.org/artist/77de9118-8d06-4d22-84a9-f3dd17c3426dcore—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4495517genre—wikidata · CC0 · retrieved 11 October 2026
https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4495517seed-list—wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hanniganbiography—wikipedia-en · CC BY-SA 4.0 · retrieved 10 October 2026
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hannigan
Why this artist is in the database
- List of Canadian musicians
Tier rule: curated genre/region list
Image: Tiroler Festspiele Erl – Presse · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Wikidata: Q4495517 · MusicBrainz: 77de9118-8d06-4d22-84a9-f3dd17c3426d
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