Chants et poèmes

Barbara Hannigan & Bertrand Chamayou

Over the past decade, few singers have been able to convince the La Monnaie audience of the overwhelming impact of modern and contemporary music as Barbara Hannigan has in Lulu, Matsukaze and Le Grand Macabre. Together with pianist Bertrand Chamayou, she will now express her love for this repertoire during an evening of recital at the Center for Fine Arts.

At the heart of their programme is Jumalattaret by avant-garde composer, saxophonist and all-rounder John Zorn. This intense vocal cycle was inspired by Finnish mythology and the national epic, Kalevala. Zorn had a decisive influence on Hannigan, who described their meeting as ‘a turning point in my life as a creative person’. Besides work by Zorn, the Canadian soprano will also perform Chants de terre et de ciel by Olivier Messiaen, a lyrical and colourful song cycle from early in his career. Piano works by Alexander Scriabin will complete the musical journey, infused with mysticism and adventure.