Champagne, Carmen and a Straw: Barbara Hannigan and Marie-Nicole Lemieux in Conversation

Which opera role has left the strongest impression on you?

Marie-Nicole Lemieux: Carmen! It’s a story of feminicide and it’s so powerful. Carmen is extraordinary. She’s full of life, liberty, and music… and the music, oh my God, it’s incredible.

Barbara Hannigan: I would have to say Lulu. That was the role—the well-known role—that changed my life. It took everything I had. It’s like running a marathon on stage. Very physical, very demanding.

It also brought me to work with director Krzysztof Ratajkowski, with whom I’ve collaborated many times since. In that sense, it was life-changing.

And yes, it’s another feminicide. But I see it differently. I don’t think Lulu is killed at the end. I think she invites her own death. She knows herself completely and decides she’s finished with this world. She moves to the next. To me, that’s powerful.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Marie-Nicole Lemieux: Don’t make music to receive — make music to give. Find your joy in giving, never in receiving. When you expect something, you’re always disappointed. So find happiness in generosity.

Barbara Hannigan: I’ll give a practical one, something my teacher told me: Take more taxis.

What she meant was this: when you’re young and trying to save money, you carry heavy bags, take crowded buses… you exhaust yourself and get sick. Her point was simple: look after yourself. Protect your energy so that when it’s time to deliver, you can truly be at your best.

Describe this program in three words only

Barbara Hannigan: Champagne
Marie-Nicole Lemieux: Sparkling
Barbara Hannigan: Love

Watch the full concert here.

What’s your earliest musical memory?

Marie-Nicole Lemieux: My father and mother singing Nana Mouskouri all the time. 

Barbara Hannigan:
Probably singing with my sister, my twin brother, and my mom. Just singing together.

What do you always bring with you on the road?

Barbara Hannigan: Honey and tea. Always tea and honey!

Marie-Nicole Lemieux: My humidifier. Always! And my straw. My straw, my straw, my straw!

For those at home: the straw is a vocal technique. You blow into a bottle of water through a straw to relax and massage the muscles around the vocal cords. There’s a big straw to relax and a smaller one for activation. It’s essential before singing.