Does Canada need a Senate?

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Edward Brain

With all the recent controversy over the expenditures of some Senators, I would like to comment on the Senate itself.  Even in the 21st Century, I do believe Canada benefits from having the Senate.  The Senate is supposed to act as a place of sombre second thought of legislation.  And it does so at the moment.

Can the Senate be ‘updated’ or changed?  Probably.  Although I am a traditionalist and can live with the Senate the way it is, that does not mean that I could not see some changes, mainly in how people are appointed to the Senate.

At the moment, a Canadian over over 30 who owns at least $4,000 worth of assets in the the province he/she will represent may be appointed to the Senate and does not need to retire until he/she reaches the age of 75. Continue reading →

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Parsifal Live in HD

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Metropolitan Opera (‘the Met’) has offered the world a new Parsifal in 2013 directed by Françios Girard.  This producion, in partnership with the Canadian Opera Company (COC) and Opéra National de Lyon, premièred in Lyon last year.  It was mounted this year in New York at the Met, replacing the traditional style production directed by Otto Schenk.

The March 2nd performance was part of the Met’s HD broadcasts and featured Jonas Kaufmann as Parsifal, Rene Papé as Gurnemanz, Katarina Dalayman as Kundry, Peter Matti as Amfortas, and Evgeny Nikitin as Klingsor.  The performance was conducted by Daniele Gatti. Continue reading →

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NHL Realignment

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Edward Brain

I thought that I would jump in on the talk of the possible realignment in the National Hockey League (NHL).  Of contention is the move before the start of the 2011-2012 season of the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg to become the new Winnipeg Jets.  The Thrashers had played in the Southwest Division of the Eastern Conference, meaning that the Jets have a lot of travelling to compete against other Divisional and Conference competitors.

The issue of realigning the NHL due to this move has raised questions about teams that could easily play in the Eastern Conference instead of the Western Conference, namely the Detroit Red Wings and the Columbes Blue Jackets.  The Blue Jackets are an obvious contender, while Detroit can certainly compete with the Chicago Blackhawks in the Central Division of the Western Conference as they do now. Continue reading →

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2013 Toronto Blue Jays Season Preview

Posted on February 10, 2013 by Edward Brain

With pitchers and catchers shortly due to report to Dunedin, the Blue Jays spring season home, I thought it was time to do an overview of the upcoming seasons.

2012 was a total disappointment, especially for fans, as the team managed a lowly 73-89 record, and a 4th place finish in the American League (A.L.) East.  The team lost José Bautista to a wrist injury, and Ricky Romero suffered through consistency issues.

The off-season saw manager John Farrell depart for the Bosten Red Sox, and the Blue Jays pulled off a huge 12 player trade bringing Mark Buehrle, Josh Johnson, John Buck, José Reyes, and Emilio Bonifacio.  Later signings and trades saw John Buck depart for the New York Mets in a trade for 2012 National League (N.L.) Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey, and the signings of Left Fielder Melky Cabrera and infielder Maicer Izturis. Continue reading →

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Tristan Und Isolde at the C.O.C.

Posted on February 3, 2013 by Edward Brain

The Canadian Opera Company (C.O.C.) production of the Wagner’s Tristan Und Isolde is indeed splendid.  While I normally concerned about ‘new’ productions nowadays, this Tristan rises to the occasion, espcecially thanks to its cast which included Ben Heppner (Tristan), Melanie Diener (Isolde), Alan Held (Kurwenal), and Franz-Josef Selig (King Marke).  Music Director Johannes Debus, conducted the C.O.C. Orchestra which was also breathtaking.

In this production be director Peter Sellars, we receive minimal sets, but with a video backdrop provided by Bill Viola.  While the video worked at times, especially during Isolde’s Liebestod, at other times I found it distracting and questionable.  Act 2 ends with daybreak literally appearing – the video shows the sun rising through over a hill. Continue reading →

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