Soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan has been announced as one of the three laureates for the 2025 Polar Music Prize.

The prize recognizes excellence in the world of music and Hannigan is being recognized in 2025 alongside other legends such as Herbie Hancock and Queen.

“Always prepared to push the boundaries, she has a unique talent for broadening the listener’s horizons with the music she chooses to program, perform and record,” says Hannigan’s description on the Awards’ official website. “While Barbara Hannigan built her career as a magnetic soprano, her intense musicianship and charisma eventually led to invitations to try her hand at orchestral conducting. Since then, she has become an acclaimed maestro who is admired for combining old and new music in her unique concert programs. Whenever she conducts and sings at the same time, it is an experience no one forgets. It’s little wonder that the name at the top of the wish list of so many composers, is Barbara Hannigan.”

Past winners include Esa-Pekka Salonen, Anna Netrebko, Anne-Sophie Mutter, Diane Warren, Iggy Pop, Arvo Pärt, Grandmaster Flash, Cecilia Bartoli, Kaija Saariaho, Peter Sellars, Yo-Yo Ma, and Ennio Morricone, among many others.

Read Related Stories

• Barbara Hannigan Joins Tiroler Festspiele Erl’s Upcoming Double Bill

• Barbara Hannigan Appointed Professor at Royal Academy of Music

• Esa-Pekka Salonen Awarded 2024 Polar Music Prize

• Anna Netrebko Named 2020 Polar Music Prize Laureate