Edward Brain's Blog

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 Owens (Senta), Franz-Josef Selig (Daland), Christopher Ventris (Erik), Rosie Aldridge (Mary), and Miles Mykkanen (The Steersman.) The COC Orchestra is conducted by the COC Music Director, Maestro Johannes Debus. Allan Moyer designed the costumes and the set. Marilyn Gronsdal is the revival director.

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Posted in Reviews | Tagged #2022, #COC, #COCDutchman, #Dutchman, #opera, 2022-2023 Season, Allan Moyer, Canadian Opera Company, Christopher Alden, Christopher Ventris, COC, COC Orchestra, Der Fliegende Hollander, Franz-Josef Selig, Johan Reuter, Johannes Debus, Marilyn Gronsdal, Marjorie Owens, Miles Mykkanen, Rosie Aldridge, The Flying Dutchman | 1 Comment

Tony La Russa Retires Again

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Edward Brain

Tony La Russa has announced his retirement as a manager again. He was the manager of the Chicago White Sox for the 2001 and 2022 seasons.

Tony La Russa start out as a manager with the Chicago White Sox in 1979. He then became the manager of the Oakland Athletics from 1986 to 1995, and then the St. Louis Cardinals from 1996 to 2011.

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Posted in General | Leave a comment

50 Years Since Summit Series

Posted on September 28, 2022 by Edward Brain

On September 28th, 1972, the Summut Series ended in Moscow with Team Canada winning against the USSR Team with four wins, three losses, and one tie.

The USSR team dominated early in the series, winning three of the first five games, with Canada winning one game and the other game ending in a draw. The Canadians would win the last three games to win the series.

The first four games took place in Canada, and the last four took place in Moscow. The four games in Canada were spread out across the country: Montreal (Game #1), Toronto (Game #2), Winnipeg (Game #3), and Vancouver (Game #4.)

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Posted in Sports | Tagged 50th Anniversary, Bobby Clarke, Brad Park, Cold War, Foster Hewitt, Frank Mahovlich, Gilbert Perreault, Guy Lapointe, Hall of Fame, Harry Sinden, hockey, Jean Ratelle, Ken Dryden, National Hockey League, NHL, Paul Henderson, Phil Esposito, Rod Gilbert, Serge Savard, Stan Mikita, Summit Series, Team Canada, Tony Esposito, USSR, Yvan Cournoyer | 2 Comments

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has Passed Away

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Edward Brain

Buckingham Palace has announced the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, and 14 other realms. Her Majestyy passed away at 96 at Balmoral Castle, her home in Scotland.

Her Majesty reigned for over 70 after ascending the throne in February 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI.

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Posted in General, Obituaries | Tagged #endofanera, #forQueenandCountry, #memorial, #obituary, #QueenElizabethII, 96, Commonwealth, Commonwealth Nations, Commonwealth realm, Death, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, RIP | 4 Comments

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 easy read and enjoyable from start to finish.

We learn about Ms. Merkel’s upbringing in the then East Germany, the daughter of a Lutheran pastor who chose to move to East Germany.

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Posted in Politics, Reviews | Tagged #AngelaMerkel, Angela Merkel, Biography, Book, Chancellor, Chancellor of Germany, Review | 1 Comment

Warriors Day at the CNE

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Edward Brain

2022 marks the 100th Anniversary of the Warriors’ Day Parade at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE.)

This year’s Warriors’ Day Parade was the first to take place since the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the CNE the last two years and was held the first Saturday of the CNE, August 20th 2022.

The parade ran from the Princes’ Gates to Stanley Barracks.

Here are some pictures and videos of the parade:

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Posted in General | 1 Comment

Team Canada at the XXII Commonwealth Games

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Edward Brain

Team Canada has completed its competition in the XXII (22nd) Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England.

Canada placed third overall with 92 total medals: 26 Gold, 32 Silver, and 34 Bronze.

A total of 269 athletes represented Canada in 17 different sports.

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Happy Simcoe Day 2022

Posted on August 1, 2022 by Edward Brain

Sir John Graves Simcoe. Portrait by George Theodore Berthon via Wikipedia

As today is Sir John Graves Simcoe Day in Ontario, I would like to discuss the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791 to 1796. Of course Upper Canada would later become the Province of Ontario.

Born in Cotterstock, England in 1752, Simcoe would be educated at Eton and spent one year at Oxford. He joined the 35th Regiment of Foot, as an ensign, in 1770. He purchased a captaincy in the 40th Regiment of Foot and was injured in battle during the American Revolution. He was responsible for a successful battle in the battle of Crooked Billet.

He became Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada in 1791 when the British Government created the Province of Upper Canada out of land around the Great Lakes that stayed part of the British Empire after the American Revolution. Simcoe would see to the building of two major roads: Yonge Street (named after Sir George Yonge then the Minister of War), and Dundas Street (named after Henry Dundas, later the 1st Viscount Melville.) Originally built for defensive purposes, later both streets served to help settlement Upper Canada, and as trading routes.

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