Monthly Archives: September 2021

Nicole Lizée Undisrupted: A Guide to The Orchestra

Is “undisrupted” a word? We have disturbed and undisturbed, disputable and indisputable. As far as I can tell the best way to understand undisrupted is in its use as the title of a series on CBC Gem:“In this ground-breaking video … Continue reading

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In captivity: Nabucco with TCO

Our society and our culture are seeking recovery now, trying to heal. Yes there has been illness & death. But even if we’re safe & healthy (very fortunate to be safe in this city, in this country) we’re troubled in … Continue reading

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A season like no other: templates

Before the Canadian Opera Company begin their virtual season this fall, it’s worth looking at what the other big companies have been doing. The COC are promoting “A Season Like No Other” in this unique time when everyone is living … Continue reading

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Garden of Vanished Pleasures aka the poetry of Derek Jarman

I wondered whether one needs to know Derek Jarman, as I watched Garden of Vanished Pleasures for the first time. It’s the new Soundtreams Online Broadcast through Crow’s Theatre that is available from now until October 10th. I wondered whether … Continue reading

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Question marks about the COC’s winter & spring season

I’ve seen some disgruntled responses in social media to the announcement of the Canadian Opera Company offerings for early 2022. The COC are offering nine performances of Madama Butterfly in February, then seven shows each of La Traviata & Magic … Continue reading

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Encounter with Donald Arthur

I met Donald Arthur through the Toronto Wagner Society, our guest after publication of the memoirs he translated & edited for Hans Hotter, the great Wagner baritone. I jumped at the chance to offer Donald a bed overnight in our … Continue reading

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Who was Derek Jarman

I don’t know Derek Jarman as well as I wish. But I’m presuming to offer some thoughts in answer to a question posed on Soundstreams’ blog a few days ago. I recall Jarman’s contribution to the anthology Aria (1987). The … Continue reading

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Respect for Aretha

The music is amazing. But it should be better. Am I asking too much? Earlier this week I watched Respect, the new biography of Aretha Franklin. I paid for 48 hours worth of viewing time, but only felt like watching … Continue reading

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