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We Asked: How Do You Keep Going?

After many years on stage, there’s still no stopping them: We asked three female artists what motivates them to keep going.

Barbara Hannigan conducts with her eyes closed
Barbara Hannigan Copyright: Tobias Hase

Music is my home

“What spurs me on is passion and curiosity: about my voice, my singing, the sounds and the scores; working with the other musicians and our journey from the first rehearsal to the performance. Every day brings new challenges, and I feel very lucky to have found my place in the world of music.”

Barbara Hannigan, soprano and conductor, will perform on 24and 25 June with the Munich Philharmonic.

Step by step

“The essence of an orchestra is harmonious playing. The 75th anniversary of the Munich Chamber Orchestra is a milestone in which a great many people have played a part, supporting and helping each other along the way. As well as the musicians and the office team, this includes the orchestra’s supporters and friends. Every endurance feat consists of stages and, ultimately, small steps. Celebrating an anniversary like this and reflecting on how far the orchestra has come over the years is, alongside the richness of the music and the applause from an enthusiastic audience, a wonderful source of motivation to keep patiently moving forward, one step at a time.”

Tatjana Erler, solo double bassist and orchestra chairperson of the MKO, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year

Musicians sit and stand on platforms of different heights in a barren room.
The Munich Chamber Orchestra (MKO) Copyright: Daniel Delang
Bridge Markland with bald head, black turtleneck and crossed arms
Bridge Markland Copyright: Bernd Ott

Every show is an adventure

“I’ve been performing professionally since 1985, in drag since 1990 and theatre classics as a one-woman playback theatre act featuring puppets and pop songs since 2005. What motivates me is inspiring people who have never seen performing arts before through bold facial expressions and stage presence. Every show is an adventure: will the audience be on my side, will the stage equipment work, have I got all the props I need? And after the performance, the satisfaction of knowing I’ve managed to move the audience; messages from fans, successes with sponsors and event organisers. All of this has kept me going for decades and is a continued source of motivation. I really do love my job.”

Bridge Markland, founder of the go drag! festival, is celebrating her 40th stage anniversary.

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