‘Barbara Hannigan & Bertrand Chamayou’

The soprano Barbara Hannigan and pianist Bertrand Chamayou are united by a shared love of contemporary music. The centre point of their programme is Jumalattaret by the avant-garde composer, saxophonist and all-rounder John Zorn: an intense vocal cycle inspired by Finnish mythology and the national epic, the Kalevala. Zorn has had a decisive influence on Hannigan. She described their meeting as “a turning point in my life as a creative person.” Besides work by Zorn, we will hear 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 complete the musical journey, infused with mysticism and adventure.