Monthly Archives: June 2014

From the Closet

We were planning to watch the HBO production Behind The Candelabra (2013), the film about Liberace’s love affair that stars Michael Douglas & Matt Damon.  It’s not just a coincidence that it’s Pride Weekend.  I was so captivated by the … Continue reading

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When The Sun Comes Out

On the occasion of World Pride in Toronto, Queer Innovative Theatre has brought Leslie Uyeda’s recent opera When The Sun Comes Out to Toronto for two performances at the intimate Ernest Balmer Studio. If you’ve read about it you’ve probably … Continue reading

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AtG Pelléas et Mélisande

Against the Grain have done it again. Their outdoor production of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande is highly original, illuminating the opera is several unforgettable ways.  Joel Ivany’s director’s note in the program says “Upon getting to know this opera, it … Continue reading

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Missing book

No this isn’t a book review. I can’t get my hands on Thomas Piketty’s 700 page book Capital in the 21st Century. Forgive me if I am paranoid about this. Since when was a best-seller impossible to obtain? But try … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Ideal Pelléas

It may be redundant to speak of an ideal Pelléas et Mélisande. The work is symbolist, which means it’s by definition a kind of ideal work. And notice I did not say “An” or “The” ideal Pelléas. It was “Ideal … Continue reading

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Pilgrimage to Jussi Björling Museet

One of the first things I ask students in my opera course is whether they think more in terms of a favourite opera, or a favourite singer, as it’s a medium that can be understood in at least these two … Continue reading

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Richard Wagner: A Life in Music

I just finished Martin Geck’s Richard Wagner: A Life in Music in Stewart Spencer’s 2013 translation. Published only in 2012 as Richard Wagner: Biografie you can judge for yourself how good this book must be, that its translation was pushed … Continue reading

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Nils Dardel and the Modern Age

One of the journeys of my life has been to reconcile myself to fame.  Not everyone gets famous, and often it’s the wrong people.  For this Canadian it is very clear at least how it doesn’t work. It is not … Continue reading

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Grey Gardens

In the 1970s two film makers made a remarkable documentary. I’d never heard of it until yesterday, but had it presented to me in all its garish intimacy. Albert and David Maysles’ Grey Gardens (1975) is a film taking its name from the … Continue reading

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A risky business

The risky business? Posting here after going out to a karaoke bar with my daughter, here in Stockholm. I couldn’t help noticing how unconditional the crowd were. They would have been fine if i were tone-deaf.  So i could sing … Continue reading

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