London Symphony Appoints Inaugural Associate Artist

The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) created the Associate Artist position for individuals who possess unique influences and style, with the aim of adding rich variety to the LSO's programming. The musician will create their own programs with the orchestra and consult on general repertoire selection.

As Associate Artist, Barbara Hannigan's new role will see her lead the LSO in Barbican Hall multiple times a year, in addition to going on a European tour in March 2023.

"I am thrilled to accept this appointment, developing and performing beautiful and fascinating programmes with my colleagues at the LSO," said Hannigan. "This collaboration gives me a lot of energy and inspiration."

"Barbara Hannigan is a unique artist in her ability to combine conducting and singing, she is supremely gifted in both disciplines, and at the peak of her powers," commented Kathryn McDowell, Managing Director of the LSO. "Already in her performances with LSO over the last few years, she has introduced players and audiences to new works that lend themselves to her special talents."

"This exciting exploration of new repertoire is precisely what the LSO thrives on and the time is right to take this next step in our relationship with her," she added. "The LSO also shares Barbara’s passion for supporting young artists and providing them with new opportunities."

This passion can be seen in Hannigan's mentoring initiative Equilibrium Young Artists and Momentum: our Future Now, encouraging other leading artists and organizations to support and mentor younger professional musicians.

As a soprano and conductor, Barbara Hannigan has the world première performances of over 85 new creations. Her album, Crazy Girl Crazy (2017), won the 2018 Grammy Award for Best Classical Solo Vocal album in addition to other awards like an Edison and a Juno.

In spring 2020, Barbara was awarded the Dresdener Musikfestspiele Glashütte Award, and in May 2021, she was given Denmark’s prestigious Léonie Sonning Music Prize — in which both financial components were donated to young artists initiatives.