Monthly Archives: December 2014

Colorature: a CD from Marie-Eve Munger, soprano

My favourite lines in the film The Blues Brothers? The moment when The Brothers arrive at their gig, pretending to be “The Goodtime Boys”, and enquire what sort of music this establishment usually offers. “oh we got both kinds: country AND … Continue reading

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10 Questions for Darren Russo

Darren Russo is a composer born in 1984 in Montreal, Quebec.  In 2006 he began his bachelor’s degree in music composition at McGill, including studies with Chris Paul Harman, and Jean Lesage. He was awarded positions as composer-in-residence for the … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Toronto Operetta Theatre’s Mikado

Although I haven’t seen many shows from Toronto Operetta Theatre, tonight’s is timely, after the social media debates between armchair Artistic Directors concerning management strategies. In the years to come we’re likely to see a scaling back of the boldest … Continue reading

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Die Meistersinger von Glyndebourne

I’m trying to understand why I responded the way I did to the Glyndebourne production of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger. It’s a relatively straight-forward production that might even be called conservative. David McVicar and the team who made the DVD have … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Maus in the haus: Art Spiegelman retrospective at AGO

I saw Art Spiegelman interviewed at the media preview for his retrospective at the Art Gallery of Ontario.  I suppose if I were like a typical critic I’d just start talking without a preamble, because (nervous cough) everyone knows his … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah opens

It’s Messiah season in Toronto.  I understand there are other towns that present Handel’s oratorio, but does any city go quite as nuts as Toronto?  Everywhere I turn it’s happening.  I sang a bit at my church, a friend conducted … Continue reading

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2014 CD and DVD reviews

I am way behind in reviewing the CDs & DVDs i have been receiving in the mail, or the ones i have been buying.  This little summary may be too late for Christmas shopping although there are also the gifts we … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Saying #Uncle: more on AtG’s latest

I barely scratched the surface in my review of Against the Grain’s #UncleJohn from late Thursday night.  With one prominent exception I barely mentioned anyone.  I am cocooning Saturday because of the cold that burst in on me like a … Continue reading

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#UncleJohn, or COC lite: a new way to do business

Against the Grain Theatre premiered #UncleJohn, their new adaptation of Don Giovanni tonight at The Black Box Theatre at the Great Hall on Queen St West after workshops out west at the Banff Centre. As much as anything this was … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Glenn Gould: extra hands

Thank you Edward Johnson Building library, once again I found treasure in the collection that never disappoints. I’d grabbed a great mass of scores in anticipation of a couple of gigs, never knowing fully what to play, but wanting to … Continue reading

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