Monthly Archives: November 2025

Double Dixit delivers

This week Tafelmusik’s Chamber Choir began their season with a concert titled Double Dixit, a wonderful warm-up for the Messiah, coming in three weeks. The singers in that choir are professionals at the highest level, among the best soloists collected … Continue reading

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Discovering the brilliant virtuoso Tony Siqi Yun

“I am a lucky guy.” That’s my mantra as a person seeking to live a life of gratitude: and sometimes it has proven to be true. My friends Gary & Bill left town for a family bris, giving me tickets … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Voicebox Opera in Concert’s Canadian premiere of Richard Coeur-de-Lion

Today I witnessed the Canadian premiere of André Grétry’s Richard Coeur-de-Lion, presented by Voicebox: Opera in Concert at the Jeanne Lamon Hall. Colin Ainsworth was singing the title role, but was indisposed, courageously singing the role but often dropping to … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cathartic tears on November 11th

With every Remembrance Day, I wonder how best to respond to the implications of November 11th, a day when we are encouraged to honour those who gave their lives in wars, in service to the nation. I went to a … Continue reading

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mendelssohn Choir — Brahms German Requiem

Friday night Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Musicians of Kitchener – Waterloo Symphony presented Brahms German Requiem in a sold out Koerner Hall to rapturous applause. I had been initially concerned that this massive work employing a big choir & orchestra … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kyle and Corey reflect on the Lion-hearted King and the operas telling their stories

Kyle & Corey, as in Kyle Derek Mcdonald and Corey Arnold are the two creators of The Lion Heart, an opera being presented in concert in Ottawa November 15-16, one of several things they’re doing. I wanted to ask Kyle … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Far Side of the Moon takes us into Robert Lepage

If you are a fan of theatrical presentations, brilliant design and innovative stage techniques you must get a ticket to see Far Side of the Moon by Robert Lepage / Ex Machina at the Bluma Appel Theatre until November 16th. … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments