Monthly Archives: February 2011

COC Nixon

Posted on February 25, 2011 by barczablog

Tonight I watched the Canadian Opera Company production of John Adams’ Nixon in China.  I saw the Met High Definition broadcast recently after acquiring the Naxos CD of the opera containing virtually the same cast as the one I saw … Continue reading →

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Spiritual rather than religious

Posted on February 22, 2011 by barczablog

Conversations online can be as real as the ones we have with the people around us.  A brief little remark I made to a Facebook post from my friend Romy Shiller concerning Roland Joffé’s The Mission has spurred additional conversation.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Spirituality & Religion | 3 Comments

Opera, made in Canada

Posted on February 18, 2011 by barczablog

What’s so Canadian about the “Canadian Opera Company”? It probably never occurs to the average person to question.  The operas are usually written by long-dead Italians, Germans, the occasional Frenchman, and sometimes we get one in English.  Nobody objects to … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Nixon on the Beach

Posted on February 13, 2011 by barczablog

  “Nixon on the Beach”? I saw the High Definition Metropolitan Opera broadcast of John Adams’ Nixon in China at the Beach Cinemas, my favourite Toronto theatre.  The Beach Cinemas actually have voicemail, and call you back with the most … Continue reading →

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If it’s Thursday it must be Zauberflöte

Posted on February 11, 2011 by barczablog

Last week I was watching the Canadian Opera Company Magic Flute on a Thursday, again tonight and even next week. I’m not complaining.  If this is a rut, I like it! But whereas last week I saw the so-called “A” … Continue reading →

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Opera Atelier & Glimmerglass to collaborate

Posted on February 8, 2011 by barczablog

Opera Atelier‘s announcement of their 2011-2012 season included some interesting news: two operas to be produced in Toronto a new partnership with The Glimmerglass Festival Who are these people and why would they want to work together? Opera Atelier: call … Continue reading →

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Linda and the jokes we don’t get

Posted on February 6, 2011 by barczablog

I am going to talk about one of Linda Hutcheon’s ideas. Ever notice that some jokes make you laugh, and some don’t?  Of course you do.  You probably would say it’s because some jokes are good and some are bad.  … Continue reading →

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Pelléas et Mélisande by Request

Posted on February 5, 2011 by barczablog

Last night Opera by Request presented Pelléas et Mélisande in concert.  When an opera is given with singers in formal attire accompanied by a pianist, we usually understand that as a compromise.  We lose the sounds of the orchestra, the … Continue reading →

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Kinder gentler Flute

Posted on February 4, 2011 by barczablog

I just saw the Canadian Opera Company’s new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute.  Considering the reputation of its director, Diane Paulus, an American known for putting Haydn’s Il Mondo della Luna into a planetarium and A Midsummernight’s Dream into … Continue reading →

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