Orion Series in Fine Arts Lecture
Composing for the Voice
Barbara Hannigan, soprano
Bertrand Chamayou, piano

Barbara Hannigan and Bertrand Chamayou speak to UVic School of Music composition students. Using John Zorn’s Jumalattaret as a launching point — which they will be performing in concert on December 2 — the duo will discuss techniques and approaches to composing for the voice.

Zorn’s modern and genre-defying piece is a masterwork in the avant-garde. It boldly presents a complex tapestry of sound that explores the boundaries of traditional and contemporary music.

All are welcome to attend this free event.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Embodying music with an unparalleled dramatic sensibility, soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan is an artist at the forefront of creation. More than 30 years since her professional debut, the Grammy and Juno Award-winning Canadian musician has worked extensively with directors and conductors including Simon Rattle, Sasha Waltz, Esa Pekka Salonen, Antonio Pappano and Katie Mitchell, and with composers such as Pierre Boulez, John Zorn, György Ligeti, Henri Dutilleux, Hans Abrahamsen and George Benjamin. The late conductor and pianist Reinbert de Leeuw has been an extraordinary influence and inspiration on her development as a musician. Her operatic appearances include iconic productions of Lulu (Brussels, Hamburg), La Voix Humaine (Paris Opera), Pelléas et Mélisande (Aix-en-Provence, Ruhrtriennale), Die Soldaten (Munich), and Written on Skin (Royal Opera House and international touring). Recent conducting engagements include The Cleveland Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, and Munich Philharmonic. She also holds positions including Principal Guest Conductor of Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (since 2019), Première Artiste Invitée of Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France (since 2022), Associate Artist of London Symphony Orchestra (since 2022), Principal Guest Conductor of Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (since 2024), and will begin her tenure as Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of Iceland Symphony Orchestra in 2026. Barbara’s dedication to the younger generation of musicians led her to create the mentoring initiative Equilibrium Young Artists in 2018.

Bertrand Chamayou stands as one of today’s most brilliant pianists, acclaimed for his virtuosic and deeply imaginative performances. Renowned for interpreting French music, he has explored major works by Ravel, Liszt, and Messiaen. Chamayou’s collaborations with contemporary composers demonstrate his passion for innovation. Performing worldwide at esteemed venues and festivals, he has graced stages with the world’s most renowned orchestras and conductors. His acclaimed recordings, including Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’enfant-Jésus, have garnered numerous awards and accolades, showcasing his mastery. His most recent releases are CAGE2 on Erato, a masterful interpretation of John Cage’s works for prepared piano, and together with Barbara Hannigan the album Messiaen presenting Messiaen’s two major song cycles from the 1930’s on Alpha Classics. Chamayou’s artistic endeavors extend beyond performance, as he co-directs the Festival Ravel, a prominent celebration of Maurice Ravel’s legacy in France. With a multi-award-winning discography and an unparalleled dedication to musical innovation, Bertrand Chamayou continues to captivate audiences around the world.

⭐️ MORE EVENTS⭐️

December 3 | 2:30-5pm
Barbara Hannigan and Bertrand Chamayou will lead masterclasses with School of Music students and give a Q&A. All are welcome to attend.
Phillip T. Young Recital Hall, UVic
More information

December 2 | 7:30pm
The duo will present a concert at the McPherson Playhouse featuring Messiaen’s Chants de Terre et de Ciel, Scriabin’s Poème-nocturne and Vers la flamme, and John Zorn’s Jumalattaret.
Tickets available here

Barbara and Bertrand’s visit is made possible in part with support from Pacific Opera Victoria.