The Bayerische Staatsoper production, conducted by Kirill Petrenko, opened on 25 May and marks Hannigan’s debut in the role.
Critics have been reaching for superlatives in their praise for Hannigan’s vocal and acting performance, with Wiener Zeitung commenting that “There is simply no better singing.” The review continues: “Barbara Hannigan becomes the gravitational vortex of the performance, her Maria dashing and dancing around the stage, while delivering the most difficult virtuosity with effortless perfection.”
In its review of the production Süddeutsche Zeitung described Hannigan as “a gift from heaven for the operatic world… Marie’s perfect incarnation, and an absolute favourite for the Munich audience. She is the perfect choice when fiendishly difficult modern works need to sound natural and straightforward…” The review goes on to praise her “agile, lyrical voice [which] knows no boundaries” and her “riveting stage presence”.
Abendzeitung noted: “Barbara Hannigan’s Marie managed to get under one’s skin… The Canadian singer alternated effortlessly between recitative and the highest register. Her acting had a dance-like quality, making her appear partly human and partly magical/unreal/ethereal.”
Hannigan’s outstanding performance can be seen and heard online on 31 May when the performance is streamed live on Staatsoper.tv.
