The Iceland Symphony Orchestra (ISO) has announced the appointment of Barbara Hannigan as its Chief Conductor and Artistic Director for an initial period of three seasons, commencing in August 2026. Hannigan's first post as Chief Conductor, she will remain in her current positions as Principal Guest Conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Associate Artist with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Hannigan first conducted the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in the spring of 2022, at the Reykjavík Arts Festival, performing works that she has become known for, often singing on the podium: Charles Ives’ The Unanswered Question, Arnold Schönberg’s Verklärte Nacht, Alban Berg’s Suite from Lulu, and George Gershwin’s Girl Crazy Suite (arr. Bill Elliott).

Having last lead the orchestra in April of this year with Poulenc's La voix humaine alongside Strauss Metamorphosen, Hannigan’s first position as Chief Conductor will see her work with the Icelandic orchestra for a minimum of 6 subscription weeks per season in addition to touring and recording. She will next appear alongside the orchestra in June 2025 with a programme including Copland's Music for the Theatre, Haydn's Symphony No. 90 and Kurt Weill's Youkali & Lost in the stars (arr. Bill Elliot)

Speaking of her appointment, Hannigan said: 'Working with the ISO, I have felt the desire and possibility, for the first time, to consider a position as Chief Conductor. It is a matter of creative chemistry and collective timing that drives us to embark on this new path, together.'

The orchestra's managing director, Lára Sóley Jóhannsdóttir, added: 'Barbara Hannigan is one of a kind, and we can’t wait to work more with such an outstanding artist, perform the innovative programmes she is renowned for and be a part of her unique expression. The first time she walked on stage to conduct our orchestra, we all felt something exceptional and unique in the air ... We know that she will significantly influence the orchestra, our audiences and the Icelandic cultural life in the years to come.'

Barbara Hannigan was made Gramophone's Artist of the Year in 2022.

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