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, Founder & Artistic Director of re:Naissance Opera, Canadian mezzo-soprano Debi Wong offers up her Artist’s Picks for film, television, books, & more:
Movie?
“I finally saw a movie in-person and the only thing playing was A Quiet Place 2. I forgot how terrifying the big screen and really loud surround sound could be!”
TV series?
“Small Axe on Amazon Prime is incredible TV like I’ve never quite seen before. Also, for me nothing captures the absurdity/pathos of life and the artist’s path than Baskets.”
re:Naissance Opera Founder & Artistic Director, Canadian mezzo-soprano Debi Wong. Photo: Dahlia Katz Photograph
Book?
“Before my son was born, I was a voracious reader but for the past few years, it’s been a little difficult to find the focus and brain power to get in a regular habit of reading again. But, as part of re:Naissance Opera‘s IndieFest this year, I had the honour of getting to know the author, Waubgeshig Rice, who wrote Moon Of The Crusted Snow. Waub is an incredible storyteller and writer and diving into his work and writing totally broke my reading dry-spell. I’ve really been enjoying stories that feel like myths, or epics and I’ve recently read Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James and just finished the Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K Jemisin.”
Podcast?
“I love a good narrative/fictional podcast like The Edge Of Sleep.”
Non-classical music?
“While I’m running, I’ve been revisiting K’Naan’s Troubadour and Phoebe Bridgers’ Stranger In The Alps on repeat. On the record player, we’ve had Bruce Springsteen’s latest album Letter To You and Joni Mitchell’s archive release Live at Canterbury House playing pretty regularly too.”
Eager for recos from your favourite operatic artists like Isaiah Bell? 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.
