Splendid Die Meistersinger in HD

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Edward Brain

On December 13th, the Metropolitan Opera presented Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg as part of its Live in HD broadcast schedule.  The production was directed by Otto Schenk with sets by Gunther Schneider-Siemssen.  The performance starred Michael Volle (Hans Sachs), Johan Botha (Walther von Stolzing), Annette Dasch (Eva), Johannes Martin Kränzle (Beckmesser), Hans-Peter König (Veit Pogner), Paul Appleby (David), and Karen Cargill (Magdalene.)  Artistic Director James Levine conducted the Met Opera Orchestra.

The production, now 21 years old, is still fresh and provides a great backdrop for the action.  The action takes place in 16th Century Nuremberg, and that’s exactly where we are taken with the staging – which means we can forget about what the director thinks of the production, but allows the audience to concentrate on the action.  And this is was a good thing. Continue reading →

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CFL 2014 All-Star Team Announced

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Edward Brain

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has announced its selection of All-Stars for the 2014 season.

The All Star team consists of: Continue reading →

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H.M.S. Pinafore at the U of T

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Edward Brain

Last night, the University of Toronto‘s (U of T) Opera Division opened a short run of Gilbert and Sullivan‘s H.M.S. Pinafore at the Macmillan Theatre.   The performance starred Ryan Downey (Captain Corcoran), Karine White (Josephine). Charles Sy (Ralph Rackstraw), Max van Wyck (Dick Deadeye), Daniel Denino (Bill Bobstay), Daniel Robinson (Bob Becket), Lyndsay Promane (Buttercup), Nicholas Borg (Sir Joseph Porter), and Kristina Agur (Hebe.)

The production was directed by Michael Patrick Albano was in the latter 19th Century as originally written and allowed the cast to be the centre of attention, for which they excelled.  The orchestra, led by conductor Sandra Horst, also excelled especially with a quick tempi. Continue reading →

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Pat Quinn has Passed Away

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Edward Brain
Pat Quinn Exhibit, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto.

Pat Quinn Exhibit, Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It has bee reported that long time coach Pat Quinn has passed away at the age of 71.  It passed away during the evening hours of November 23rd in hospital.

Mr. Quinn played parts of nine seasons for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Atlanta Flames.

However, Mr. Quinn is remembered as a hockey coach and General Manager.  He coached several teams over the years: Philadelphia Flyers, Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers.  He also served as the General Manager in both Vancouver and Toronto.  He would lead both the Flyers (in 1980) and Canucks (in 1994) to the Stanley Cup finals only to lose to the New York Islanders and New York Rangers, respectfully. Continue reading →

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Remembrance Day

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Edward Brain

Today, November 11th 2014, we mark Remembrance Day in Canada and the sacrifices made by our military during the many conflicts Canada has been involved in.

If you are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy in Canada, thank a veteran.

As an appropriate remembrance for all the sacrifices, here is “In Flanders Fields“, the poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae: Continue reading →

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Happy Birthday, Johnny Bower

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Edward Brain

On November 8th 2014, the great goaltender Johnny Bower turned 90 years young.  To anyone who is a fan of hockey, especially the Toronto Maple Leafs, know who Mr. Bower is.

Mr. Bower is famous for being the Hall of Fame goaltender that backstopped the Maple Leafs to four Stanley Cups in the 1960s: 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1967. Continue reading →

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Is Charging for Wood Flooring Reasonable?

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Edward Brain

Gerry Hyman has written another article for the Toronto Star.  Let’s look at some of the questions raised:

QUESTION:  Is our board entitled to pass a rule requiring a $300, non-refundable payment in order for an owner to install wood flooring?

ANSWER:  A rule that permits wood flooring but requires a non-refundable payment would appear to be unreasonable and thus unenforceable.

Continue reading →

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New City Council elected in Toronto

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Edward Brain

Trillium July 2010 Cruise 034Toronto has just conducted a municipal election and the results are in.

Let’s break them down:

John Tory is the new Mayor, receiving 40% of the vote, beating out the other two main contenders Doug Ford (33%) and Olivia Chow (23%.)  Mr. Tory will be replacing Rob Ford as the 65th Mayor of Toronto.

The following were elected as a Councillor: Continue reading →

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Spectacular Madama Butterfly

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Edward Brain

The Canadian Opera Company (COC) has opened a spectacular production of Giacomo Puccini‘s Madama Butterfly Friday night at the Four Seasons Centre.  The production starred Patricia Racette (Cio-Cio San), Stefano Secco (Pinkerton), Elizabeth DeShong (Suzuki), Dwayne Croft (Sharpless), and Julius Ahn (Goro.)  The performance was conducted by Maestro Patrick Lange, and directed by Brian Macdonald.

The production takes a more literal interpretation of the opera, with a traditional set, and period costumes.  But this makes perfect sense and allowed the all star cast to take centre stage, which they did. Continue reading →

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Joan Rivers has Passed Away at 81

Posted on September 4, 2014 by Edward Brain

The American comedian, Joan Rivers, has passed away at the age of 81.  She had suffered a cardiac arrest a week prior to her passing.

Miss Rivers first success was as a guest on the Tonight Show in 1965, which she would go on to guest star on a number of occasions.  She would also was a guest on the Ed Sullivan Show, as well as the Carol Burnett Show. Continue reading →

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