Thoughts on Der Rosenkavalier Live in HD

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Edward Brain

On May 13th 2017, I attended the Metropolitan Opera’s (Met Opera) last Live in HD broadcast for the 2016-2017 season.  The opera was Richard Strauss‘ Der Rosenkavalier.

This is a new production directed by Robert Carsen with sets by Paul Steinberg, costumes by Brigitte Reiffenstuel, the lighting directors are Robert Carsen and Peter van Praet, and the choreographer was Phillipe Giraudeau.

The production stars Renée Fleming as the Marschallin, Elīna Garanča as Octavian (aka ‘Der Rosenkavalier’), Erin Morley as Sophie, Matthew Polenzani as the Italian Singer (and doubling as the host of the broadcast), Markus Brück as Faninal, and Günther Groissböck as Baron Ochs.  The conductor was Maestro Sabastian Weigle. Continue reading →

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2017 NHL Conference Finals

Posted on May 11, 2017 by Edward Brain

The Stanley Cup.

The National Hockey League (NHL) Conference Finals are now set.

There are now only four teams left playing for the right to play for the Stanley Cup.  Games start on May 12th, 2017.

Let’s look at the match-ups. Continue reading →

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A Tale of Contradictions: Louis Riel at the COC

Posted on May 7, 2017 by Edward Brain
Louis Riel circa 1875

Louis Riel circa 1875 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I attended the May 5th 2017 performance of the Canadian Opera Company‘s (COC) production of Louis Riel.

The production stars Russell Braun as Louis Riel, Simone Osborne as Marguerite Riel, Allyson McHardy as Julie Riel, James Westman as Sir John A. MacDonald, Alain Coulombe as Bishop Taché, and Andrew Love as Dr. Shultz.  The production is directed by Peter Hinton, and conducted by the COC’s Music Director Johannes Debus. Continue reading →

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2017 NHL Conference Semi-Finals

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Edward Brain

The Stanley Cup.

The first round of the 2017 National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs have been completed.  Eight teams have qualified for the second round of the playoffs, the Conference Semi-Finals.

After the first round of the playoffs, I have a record of 4-4 with the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, and St. Louis Blues all winning their first round series.

This round of the playoffs breakdowns as follows: Continue reading →

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Happy 91st Birthday, Your Majesty!

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Edward Brain

Queen Elizabeth’s Statute

I would like to wish Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada a very Happy Birthday.

Today, April 21st, 2016 marks the 91st birthday of Her Majesty.  Here’s to many more years in the future!

God save the Queen!

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Owners Indirectly Save on Electricity Rebate

Posted on April 17, 2017 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s discuss two of the questions:

QUESTION:  We’ve seen an announcement that condominiums will be eligible for a proposed hydro rebate. Will our corporation be obligated to pass the rebate to the unit owners or can they place it in the operating fund?

ANSWER:  You are correct that condominium corporations are eligible to receive the rebate. The Electricity Consumers Act 2016 states that the rebate is available to consumers who have an “eligible account,” which is defined to include properties within the meaning of the Condominium Act. The rebate relates to hydro fees paid by the corporation, which will not transfer it to the individual unit owners.

Continue reading →

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Opening Round of 2017 NHL Playoffs

Posted on April 12, 2017 by Edward Brain

The Stanley Cup

The 2017 National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs start today.

Highlights of this year’s playoffs include the Washington Capitals winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight year with 118 points.  The Detroit Red Wings failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1990 after 25 consecutive seasons, and the third longest in league history.  Five Canadian teams (Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto) after no Canadian team made the playoffs last year.

The opening round match-ups breakdown as follows: Continue reading →

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Reserve Fund Balance must be Disclosed

Posted on March 18, 2017 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  I want to discuss two of the questions raised.

The first question is:

QUESTION:  A number of us as unit owners have written to the board requesting the current amount of the corporation’s reserve fund. The board has not replied or even acknowledged our request for over six months. Is that proper?
Continue reading →

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Work Could Require Owner Approval

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s discuss two of the questions:

QUESTION:  The corporation’s engineer recommended refurbishing the corridors. Is the board entitled to undertake a $5.1-million hallway renovation without the consent of 66-2/3 per cent of the unit owners?

Continue reading →

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Singers Shine in Götterdämmerung

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Edward Brain
English: Entrance to Osgoode subway station at...

Four Seasons Centre of the Canadian Opera Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I attended the February 17th, 2017 performance of Götterdämmerung at the Canadian Opera Company.  The production stars Christine Goerke (Brünnhilde), Andreas Schager (Siegfried), Ain Anger (Hagen), Martin Gantner (Gunther).  The production is conducted by the COC Music Director Johannes Debus, and is directed with Tim Albery with sets by Michael Levine.  The lighting director was David Finn.

This is the third time the production has been staged by the COC, the first as part of the 2005-2006 season, and then part of the complete Ring staged in 2006.  The set is essentially a large section of power lines with chairs and tables that were changed at different times in an attempt to show different scenes.  By and large the set was a distraction and a concert performance would have been an improvement in my opinion.  And I found the lighting to be either too dark (for example during the first scene of Act Two) or too bright. Continue reading →

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