Monthly Archives: August 2022

Sarah Polley & Terry Gilliam, The Torturer’s Apprentice

Violence is everywhere these days. Excuse me for stating the obvious. I’ve recently seen an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus that plays with our imaginations, encouraging us to feel for the people getting hurt in the play. Sometimes it’s much … Continue reading

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Preview of immersive Titus

I’ve just seen a preview of Who’s Afraid of Titus, Sky Gilbert’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s early play Titus Andronicus. They used the Red Sandcastle Theatre, a space associated with horror through proprietor Eric Woolfe and his Eldritch Theatre cohort. No … Continue reading

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Celebrating Glenn Gould on the 90th Anniversary of His Birth

Celebrating the Enduring Legacy of Iconic Canadian Pianist Glenn Gould on the 90th Anniversary of His BirthGlennGould@90 features free events from September 17 to 27 Toronto, ON (August 29, 2022) – Glenn Gould, the iconic Canadian classical pianist, writer, composer, … Continue reading

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Tanya’s Secret

Tanya’s Secret, a queer-trans Onegin, is a new adaptation of Eugene Onegin by Opéra Queens, that opened tonight at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Let’s begin by remembering Tchaikovsky’s original: a piece full of beautiful melodies, a few wonderful arias, several … Continue reading

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Interviewing Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they) aka Tanya Smania (she): probing Tatyana’s Secret

I’m intrigued by the upcoming production of Tanya’s Secret produced by Opera Queens, an adaptation of Eugene Onegin, a work that seems to invite questions. Mike Fan | 范祖铭 (they) aka Tanya Smania (she) is the artistic director and driving … Continue reading

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Bas-Sheve: Yiddish opera at Ashkenaz Festival

An Opera in Yiddish by Henekh Kon, Libretto by Moishe BroderzonAugust 31, September 1, September 2 Ashkenaz 2022 will feature the North American premiere of Henekh Kon’s “Bas-Sheve,” the only known pre-Holocaust Yiddish opera. Never performed after its 1924 premiere … Continue reading

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Who’s Afraid of Titus? Sky Gilbert isn’t.

The title Who’s Afraid of Titus? has at least three meanings I can see. 1: Performers who fear that audiences won’t come see an unfamiliar play. 2: Professors (Shakespeare theorists) confused by a play that doesn’t fit the usual template. … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Popular music & culture, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Competing icons at the RCM: Gould, Liszt and others

It’s a branding exercise to give a building a name. Roy Thomson has his hall. Both Rogers and Four Seasons have Centres. They already have The Glenn Gould School in the Royal Conservatory of Music. So why not also give … Continue reading

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Gould’s Wall

Tapestry Opera have premiered Brian Current’s new site-specific work Gould’s Wall, an event that adds another layer to the association between the Royal Conservatory of Music and one of their most distinguished alumni Glenn Gould. I like it more than … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment