A world renowned opera singer, who is largely unknown here in Nova Scotia is vacationing along the province’s north shore this week.

Barbara Hannigan is an award winning soprano who has commanded audiences from stages in New York, London, Paris and Berlin.

But here at home she remains mostly anonymous. She said it is a relief to leave behind the opera star and just be Barbara for a while.

Last month, Hannigan made history becoming the first Canadian to win one of the most important awards in French music, Prix de la personnalité musicale the l’année (Music Personality of the Year). (http://www.barbarahannigan.com)

"It is fancy and I have to dress up and I have to wear gowns and I have to look a certain way and go to fancy restaurants and to be honest it's really fantastic and it also can be tiring because I just want to come home and put on my little cotton dress, take my shoes off and relax," she said.

Still, Hannigan said she wouldn't trade what opera has given her.

She said as a child growing up in Waverley, she didn't know anything about opera and when she first saw it as a teen she didn't like it.

Her music teachers encouraged her to try it. She said she can't begin to explain the importance of music, enthusiastic arts teachers and exposing young people to all the arts. She credits her teachers with leading her to her true calling.

"[I] totally feel like I won the lottery. I totally feel like that I just feel like everyday I get up and I'm like what a great job I have and let's get to work. But I pretty much felt like that my whole life I am very enthusiastic and very positive and optimistic."

Hannigan keeps herself busy at her Nova Scotia summer cabin. She claims she doesn't have much talent in the kitchen but her butter tarts suggest otherwise.

She said she is able to recharge her optimism and the hard working artist inside when she spends a few weeks relaxing in relative obscurity in her favorite place in the world.

Last month,Hannigan made history becoming the first Canadian to win one of the most important awards in French music, Prix de la personnalité musicale the l’année (Music Personality of the Year).

The prize is awarded by French music critics to an artist who has had a profound impact on French music.