Monthly Archives: November 2011

10 Questions for Christopher Mokrzewski

Posted on November 29, 2011 by barczablog

Canadian pianist Christopher (“Topher”) Mokrzewski is a former member of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, participant in the preparation for COC’s recent Rigoletto and Opera Atelier’s 2011 La clemenza di Tito. But he’s also an accomplished soloist & chamber … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brian Wyers

Posted on November 29, 2011 by barczablog

I’m going a bit outside my usual comfort zone with this one.  I’m a composer & keyboardist, a scholar in opera, theatre, film-music, literature.  In grade six they already knew I couldn’t paint or draw. Thank God for computers, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Essays | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

John & Michael: Together Again

Posted on November 23, 2011 by barczablog

[Sentimentality advisory] One of my favourite movies is the 1988 Terry Gilliam film The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (or ABM for short).  It features wonderful work from Eric Idle, an uncredited appearance by Robin Williams (“Ray de Tutto” which makes … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rusalka in Montréal

Posted on November 21, 2011 by barczablog

I was fortunate to see Rusalka in its final performance November 19th.at Opéra de Montréal, a co-production of Minnesota Opera & Boston Lyric Opera originally directed by Eric Simonson, remounted on this occasion by Bill Murray. The production had at … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Satyagraha and Wall Street

Posted on November 18, 2011 by barczablog

Of all the operas being presented in the Metropolitan Opera’s High Definition series of broadcasts, Philip Glass’s opera Satyagraha is the first to seem genuinely relevant. As I type this, I am listening to the latest news concerning the various … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Opera, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chérubin

Posted on November 13, 2011 by barczablog

Essential Opera is a relative newcomer to the Toronto scene.  I watched their presentation of Massenet’s Chérubin tonight, a logical sequel considering that their debut earlier in 2011 (that I missed by the way) was Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. Massenet’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

10 Questions for Marcel Danesi

Posted on November 11, 2011 by barczablog

Marcel Danesi is a Professor of Anthropology who has followed his heart, from the study of Italian language & literature to the study of customs, signs & symbols (aka semiotics), and culture in its manifestations.  Danesi’s current brainchild is That’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, University life | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lepage’s Siegfried

Posted on November 6, 2011 by barczablog

I watched the latest instalment of Robert Lepage’s Ring cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in a high definition broadcast. The celebrated machine that is the star of the production continues to amuse and delight.  In the latest episode we see … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Remembering

Posted on November 3, 2011 by barczablog

As I prepare for the Remembrance Day Service in my church (this coming weekend btw) I can’t help thinking of some of the fascinating contradictions associated with the day: contradictions that are inevitable given the depth of emotion stirred by … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments