Singers Make Elektra in HD Work

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Edward Brain

The Metropolitan Opera (The Met) completed its 2015-2016 Live in HD broadcasts on April 30th, 2016 with a performance of Richard Strauss’ Elektra.  The production premiered in Europe and was directed by the late Patrice Chéreau.

The production stars Nina Stemme in the title role, Adrianne Pieczonka as Chrysothemis, Eric Owens as Orest, and Waltraud Meier as Klytaemnestra.  The conductor was Esa-Pekka Salonen.  The set was designed by Richard Peduzzi with costumes by Caroline de Vivaise. Continue reading →

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Maometto II a Success for the COC

Posted on May 1, 2016 by Edward Brain
Gioachino Rossini

Gioachino Rossini (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Canadian Opera Company (COC) opened the Canadian premiere of Gioachino Rossini‘s opera Maometto on Friday night.  The opera stars Luca Pisaroni as Maometto, Leah Crocetto as Anna, Bruce Sledge as Erisso, and Elizabeth DeShong as Calbo.

The production is directed by David Alden with sets and costumes by Jon Morell.  The performances are conducted by Harry Bicket.

Maometto II centres around the Ottoman Sultan Maometto’s siege on the Venetian city of Negroponte.  Maometto, disguised as a nobleman named Uberto, has fallen in love with Anna, the daughter of Erisso who is the leader of the Venetians. Continue reading →

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Happy 90th Birthday, Your Majesty!

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Edward Brain
Queen Elizabeth's Statute

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 90th birthday of Her Majesty.  Here’s to many more years in the future!

God save the Queen!

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First Round of 2016 NHL Playoffs

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Edward Brain

The Stanley Cup.

The 2016 National Hockey League (NHL) postseason has begun today.  16 of the 30 teams have qualified for the postseason.

This is the first year since 1970 that no Canadian based team has made the playoffs – guaranteeing that for the 23rd year, no Canadian team will win the Holy Grail of hockey, the Stanley Cup.

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

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Toronto Blue Jays’ 2016 Roster

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Edward Brain

SkyDomeThe Toronto Blue Jays have now opened their 2016 season in Tampa Bay with a 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Blue Jays are the defending American League East (A.L. East) Pennant winners, and as such, there are a lot of expectations on the team to succeed this year. Continue reading →

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Commonwealth Day 2016

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Edward Brain
Commonwealth of Nations showing Commonwealth r...

Commonwealth of Nations showing Commonwealth realms (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today (March 14th, 2016)  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, Queen Elizabeth II leads 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. Continue reading →

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Bank of Canada Considers a Woman for Banknote

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Edward Brain

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the Bank of Canada will look into having a woman on a banknote starting in 2018.  Currently featured on banknotes are Sir Wilfred Laurier ($5 bill), Sir John A. MacDonald ($10 bill), Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ($20 bill), William Lyon Mackenzie King ($50 bill), and Sir Robert Bordon ($100 bill.)

The idea is nice, but the question is who will be removed unless the Bank of Canada reinstates one of the bills it has eliminated over the last several years ($1, $2, $1000).  Of course, there is the option to create a new bill – such as a $25 bill. Continue reading →

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57 Years Since Avro Arrow was Cancelled

Posted on February 20, 2016 by Edward Brain
Avro Arrow replica at TAM Arrow Rollout, 8 Oct...

Avro Arrow replica at TAM Arrow Rollout, 8 Oct. 2006 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

February 20th, 2016 marks the 57th anniversary of the Canadian Government’s decision to cancel production of the CF-105 Avro Arrow.

The Avro Arrow was originally conceived to be an interceptor plane for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), ready for use from the early 1960s onward.

Following the Second World War, there was a threat that the Soviet Union might send long distance bombers with nuclear weapons over the North Pole to hit targets in North America.  The Avro Arrow was going to be Canada‘s answer to intercept and stop the bombers. Continue reading →

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Siegfried a Hit and a Miss at the COC

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Edward Brain
The Four Seasons Centre.

The Four Seasons Centre.

On Sunday February 14th, 2016, I caught the last performance of Wagner’s Siegfried at the Canadian Opera Company (COC).  It was both breathtaking and disheartening.

The production is by Canadian director François Girard with sets by Michael Levine. David Finn was the lighting director, while Donna Feore was the choreographer.  This was the third time the COC performed the production since its debut in 2005, the last time being part of the entire Ring in 2006.

The highlights of the production were definitely the singers and the orchestra led by Music Director Johannes Debus.  Christine Goerke was Brünnhilde, Stefan Vinke sang the title role of Siegfried, Alan Held was the Wanderer, Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke was Mime, Christopher Purves was Alberich, Phillip Ens was Fafner, Meredith Arwady was Erda, and Jacqueline Woodley sang the role of the Woodbird. Continue reading →

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Queen Elizabeth II celebrates 64 years as Monarch

Posted on February 6, 2016 by Edward Brain
Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Sovereign's ins...

Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Sovereign’s insignia of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today marks the 64th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s ascension as Queen of Canada, the United Kingdom, and 14 other nations.  She is also the head of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne of Canada when her father, King George VI passed away in the early hours of February 6th, 1952.  Prior to this date, she was the Heir Presumptive to the crown.

While Her Majesty predominantly lives in the United Kingdom, she has come home to Canada on many occasions, and has personally undertaken many duties in her official capacity as Queen of Canada, both in Canada, and abroard.  When not in Canada, Her Majesty is represented at the Federal level by the Governor General, in each province by a Lieutenant Governor. Continue reading →

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