I attended The Met‘s Live in HD broadcast of Richard Wagner‘s Lohengrin on March 18th, 2023.
The cast included Piotr Beczała (Lohengrin), Tamara Wilson (Elsa), Christine Goerke (Ortrud), Evgeny Nikitin (Telramund), and Günther Groissböck (King Heinrich.) The orchestra was led by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The production is by François Girard with sets by Tim Yip.
Today (March 13th, 2023) is Commonwealth Day in the countries that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Commonwealth Day, celebrated on the second Monday of March throughout the Commonwealth, as its name suggests celebrates the Commonwealth.
Traditionally, in London, King Charles III will lead a celebration at Westminster Abbey on Commonwealth Day along with the Commonwealth Secretary-General, and the Commonwealth High Commissioners. Her Majesty is the Head of the Commonwealth, and normally reads a speech in honour of the occasion.
Commonwealth Day allows member nations to remember the importance of the bind that we all have in being members of the Commonwealth. This bind has, and can continue to be, an important source of trade, security, and friendship.
Continue readingI saw David Haig’s play Pressure at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on February 15th, 2023. The play stars Kevin Doyle as Dr. James Stagg, Malcolm Sinclair as General Dwight D. “Ike” Eisenhower, Laura Rogers as Lieutenant Kay Summersby, and Philip Cairns as Colonel Irving P. Krick.
Pressure is the story of the five days leading up to, and including the D-Day landings on June 6th, 1944. The play shows the conflicts between the American and British seniors advisors under General Eisenhower, specifically Dr. Stagg the Scottish meteorologist who argued that June 5th, the original day for the operation, known as Operation Overlord, would see bad weather despite a lengthy period of good weather and the opposite opinion of Col. Krick who doesn’t believe in the existence of jetstreams.
Continue readingToday, February 3rd, 2023 marks the 10th anniversary that my blog has been in existence.
A lot has changed since February 3rd, 2013 when I started this blog. I have posted many reviews of plays, operas, etc. I have seen since then including my first blog post, a review of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde at the Canadian Opera Company, to reviews on such performances as ‘I Love Lucy’ Live on Stage Review, Monuments Men (Movie), The Last Confession, Die Meistersinger in HD, Blithe Spirit with Dame Angela Landsbury, Anna Bolena, and Sir Andrew Davis Celebrates 75th Birthday with Wagner and the TSO.
I also discussed several condominium related issues, including ‘Open Sessions’ of Board Meetings, Condominium Ombudsman, Condominium Social Committees, Unruly Directors, Questioning a Board Decision, Making Condominiums Democratic, Condominim Act Review Stage 2, Nominations do not Require Approval, Charter of Rights Apply in Condominiums, Condominiums Need Facilities Agreement, Expansion of Condominium Authority Tribunal’s Powers in Ontario, and Proxies need to be Curtailed in Condominiums.
I also wrote about the retirement of the ALRV streetcars at the beginning of September 2019 in Toronto:
Followed by the retirement of the CLRV streetcars in December 2019:
The ALRV and CLRV fleet were replaced by the Flexity Outlook streetcars that started to enter service at the end of August, 2014 but would take five years to complete delivery due to delays in construction from Bombardier.
A number of well known people have undfortunately passed away over the last 10 years, most famously Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, but also Sidney Poitier, Betty White, Martha Henry, Prince Phillip, Alex Trebek has Passed Away at 80, and Jon Vickers.
I hope you have enjoyed the many posts I have added over the last 10 years, and here’s to another 10 years (and hopefully more!)
Thanl you for joining me on this journey!!!!
David Onley, the former Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, has passed away at age 72.
Mr. Onley was the 28th Lieutenant-Governor and served from 2007 to 2014. Prior to that he had a long career in journalism.
January 1st, 2023 marked the 25th anniversary of the City of Toronto becoming a ‘megacity.’
Prior to January 1st, 1998, the city we now call Toronto was comprised of six distinct cities: East York, Etobicoke North York, Scarborough, Toronto, and York. All those cities were in turn part of a regional municipality as well: Metropolitan Toronto (aka ‘Metro Toronto’ or simply ‘Metro’.)
Continue readingIt’s now the end of 2022. Looks take a look at what occurred this year:
January
Sidney Poitier Passed Away on January 7th at the age of 94.
February
Queen Elizabeth II Celebrated her Platinum Jubilee on February 6th.
Canada won 26 medals at the Winter Olympics.
On the 24th, Russia would invade Ukraine. The invasion would be ongoing throughout the year.
March
I attended the live HD broadcast of Don Carlos in the cimena on the 26th.
April
May
VIA Rail’s flagship train, the Canadian, went back to its’ pre-pandemic two day a week service. The first Wednesday departure of the train from Toronto departed May 4th. I was there to capture the departure.
I also attended some events during Doors Open Toronto at the end of the month.
June
In Ontario, a Provincial election occurred. The Progressive Conservatives under Doug Ford were returned to power with an increased majority.
July
On July 1st, Canada turned 155 years old.
On the 23rd, longtime owner and CEO of the WWE, Vince McMahon, retired after news reports that he had paid off female employees following relationships with them.
July also saw the passing of actors Tony Dow and Nichelle Nichols.
August
In August, Team Canada competed at the Commonwealth Games, winning 92 medals in total.
The Warriors’ Day Parade, and the CNE, returned after a two year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic.
I also reviewed a new biography about the recently retired Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel.
September
On September 8th, Queen Elizabeth II passed away just months after festivities to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee.
Canada celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Summit Series.
October
On October 8th, the Canadian Opera Company opened its’ first full season since the pandemic with a performance of The Flying Dutchman.
On the 11th, Dame Angela Landsbury passed away at 96.
In Ontario, municipal elections took place on the 24th. The election saw many mayors re-elected, including Bonnie Crombie, Patrick Brown, and John Tory as well as the election of former NDP leader and Leader of the Opposition, Andrea Horwath, as Mayor of Hamilton.
November
November 11th saw the first Remembrance Day services without restrictions sine 2019.
On the 21st, the Toronto Argonauts won a record 18th Grey Cup with a 24-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bomberrs in the 109th Grey Cup game from Regina. The Argonauts have now won the Grey Cup in seven straight appearances in the game, as well as winning all seven encounters in the Grey Cup game against the Blue Bombers. The Blue Bombers had won the previous two Grey Cups and were looking to create the first Dynasty since the Edmonton Eskimos won five straight Grey Cups from 1978-1982.
Canada also appeared in its’ second FIFA World Cup.
December
On December 4th, Bob McGrath passed away. He was famous for his work on “Sesame Street.”
Kirstie Alley would pass away on December 5th. She was well known for her roles on “Cheers” and in “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
Santa Claus Parades in many areas returned after a two year hiatus.
Argentina would win the World Cup on December 18th, beating defending Champions, France.
This year would also see the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, although most restrictions would be eased in many countries, with the return of normalcy in many countries.
Let’s look at some highlights of my blog:
The most popular posts were:
The most popular month for views was March with 334 views.
Thanks for visiting this past year! And all the best in for 2023!
I just want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.
May you spend your Christmas with family and friends and have a wonderful and enjoyable Christmas.
The year is coming to a close and I would also like to thank everyone who has read my Blog this year for all the support as it is very appreciated. Thank you.
Continue readingThe 2022 World Cup Final is now set. The final sees the two-time, and reigning Champions, France, taking on another two time Champion, Argentina.
The final takes place on December 18th, while the day before Morocco takes on Croatia in the third place match.
Look for France to become the first team since Brazil won the 1958 and 1962 titles while Croatia takes third place..
Edward Brain's Blog 