In a new series we’re running over here at Opera Canada, Artist’s Picks, we’re asking our favourite Canadian opera artists: what else are you into? In our call for artist-driven recommendations, award-winning Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan offers up her Artist’s Picks for film, television, books, & more:
Movie?
“Mathieu Amalric’s latest film Serre moi fort, which opened as an Official Selection for Cannes.”
TV series?
“I don’t watch TV, but I did watch The Queen’s Gambit a few months ago!”
Canadian Soprano & Conductor Babara Hannigan conducting ‘Mysteries of the Macabr’ at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome. Photo by Musacchio & Ianniello
Book?
“Nigel Hill’s biography of Olivier Messiaen. Timely, because pianist Bertrand Chamayou and I just recorded the first half of our Messiaen CD.”
Podcast?
“A Mic on the Podium on Apple Podcasts, hosted by fellow conductor Michael Seal interviewing other conductors. It’s a fantastic series he started over a year ago. ”
Non-classical music?
“Another podcast (I love radio!), which is In Our Time. Every week moderator Melvyn Bragg and 3 guests tackle a different topic or person — from philosophy to mathematicians, writers to historical leaders. It is absolutely fascinating.”
Eager for recos from your favourite operatic artists like Barbara Hannigan? Let us know who you’d like to see featured in our Artist’s Picks Q&A series – leave a comment below, or get in touch at outreach@operacanada.ca.
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Angela Bell is Opera Canada’s Digital Media Specialist. She has held digital and PR roles with various businesses including the Walt Disney Company, Sullivan Entertainment and Toronto International Film Festival.
