Category Archives: Reviews

Reviews of operas, plays, movies, etc. that I have seen.

Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice at the COC

Posted on October 19, 2025 by Edward Brain

I was able to attend the October 19th, 2025 performance of Christoph Willibald Gluck‘s Orfeo ed Euridice at the Canadian Opera Company (COC.) The performance is a revival of Robert Carsen’s production from 2011, co-produced with Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Fondazione … Continue reading →

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Aida a Success in HD

Posted on January 25, 2025 by Edward Brain

I caught the January 25th, 2025 Live in HD Broadcast of Giuseppe Verdi‘s Aida at my local movie theatre. The performance, being aired live, was from The Metropolitan Opera in New York City. The production stars Angel Blue (Aida), Piotr … Continue reading →

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All-Star Cast Succeed in Fidelio at the COC

Posted on October 14, 2023 by Edward Brain

I attended the October 14th, 2023 performance of Ludwig van Beethoven‘s only opera, Fidelio, at the Canadian Opera Company (C.O.C.) The production, by Matthew Ozawa, is presented in a modern day prison. The set is a large cuve placed on … Continue reading →

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Tosca Succeeds at the COC

Posted on May 20, 2023 by Edward Brain

J attended the May 19th 2023 performance of Giacomo Puccini‘s Tosca at the Canadian Opera Company (COC.) The production is directed by Paul Curran, with sets and costumes by Kevin Knight. The COC Orchestra was led by Giuliano Carella, making … Continue reading →

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Lohengrin – The Met: Live in HD

Posted on March 18, 2023 by Edward Brain

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 … Continue reading →

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‘Pressure’ at the Royal Alexandra Theatre

Posted on February 15, 2023 by Edward Brain

I 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 … Continue reading →

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Flying Dutchman at the COC

Posted on October 8, 2022 by Edward Brain

October 7th, 2022 saw the opening night performance of the revival of the Christopher Alden production of the Richard Wagner’s Der Fliegende Hollander (The Flying Dutchman) at the Canadian Opera Company (COC.) The production stars Johan Reuter (The Dutchman), Marjorie … Continue reading →

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Review: The Chancellor: The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel

Posted on August 28, 2022 by Edward Brain

I have finished ready a new biography about former German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, entitled The Remarkable Odyssey of Angela Merkel by Kati Marton. The book, newly released following Ms. Merkel’s retirement as Chancellor after 16 years in power, is an … Continue reading →

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Don Carlos Live in HD

Posted on March 26, 2022 by Edward Brain

On March 26th, 2022 the Metropolitan Opera (The Met) presented Guiseppe Verdi’s Don Carlos as part of its’ Live in HD series. This was the last performance this season of the opera at The Met, and is the first time … Continue reading →

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Thaïs Soars in Concert at the TSO

Posted on November 10, 2019 by Edward Brain

I attended the second of two performances of Jules Massenet’s opera Thaïs at Roy Thomson Hall on November 9th, 2019.  The performance was by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, led by their Conductor Laureate, and Interm Artistic Director, Sir Andrew Davis.  … Continue reading →

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