Tag Archives: UTS

Thinking of Diefenbaker for Canada Day

A good performance can change how you understand a piece. I stumbled upon a YouTube recording that I keep listening to over and over, a piece I thought I knew. There are two contrasting tenor arias in Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah. … Continue reading

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Neighbourhood impacts

I was looking in the Canadian Opera Company’s latest publication, a shiny offering that arrived in the mail less than an hour ago, with the title “Audience Impact Report.” Speaking of impacts the mailing included the obligatory return envelope & … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Civil Rites

It’s quite a bargain, this deal we’ve struck.  Any social contract is a trade-off, giving something to get something.  Nobody ever thinks about it, this amazing exchange, because it’s almost totally invisible, unless someone shines light on it, as they … Continue reading

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment