Barbara Hannigan Sings John Zorn
Reflektor John Zorn
Hannigan, a force of nature
Saturday evening in the Grand Hall features a showdown between John Zorn’s tricky vocal music and the sensational singer Barbara Hannigan, who has repeatedly delighted audiences in the Elbphilharmonie in the past. She sings two works composed by Zorn, »Jumalattaret« and »Pandora’s Box«.
»Jumalattaret« draws from the Finnish national epic Kalevala, which is without equal in terms of graphicness and brutality. Preparing the part brought even the fearless Barbara Hannigan to the edge of despair. While that piece includes a (ludicrously difficult) piano accompaniment, Zorn composed »Pandora’s Box« for soprano voice and string quartet.
Between the two summit ascents featuring the extreme soprano, Zorn’s musical version of Solomon’s »Song of Songs« from the Old Testament is performed by five singers: Kirsten Sollek, Eliza Bagg, Elizabeth Bates, Sarah Brailey (2021 Grammy winner) and Rachel Calloway. Hannigan is joined in this concert by Mathieu Amalric as a narrator.
Performers
Barbara Hannigan voice, narration
Mathieu Amalric narration
Kirsten Sollek voice
Eliza Bagg voice
Elizabeth Bates voice
Sarah Brailey voice
Rachel Calloway voice
Stephen Gosling piano
JACK Quartet
Christopher Otto violin
Austin Wulliman violin
John Pickford Richards viola
Jay Campbell violoncello
Programme
John Zorn
Jumalattaret
Song of Songs
Pandora’s Box
Festival
Reflektor John Zorn