Monthly Archives: November 2012

The prettiest love duet

Posted on November 30, 2012 by barczablog

During the COC Ensemble Studio competition, I discovered that someone else –John Gilks of operaramblings and I share similar views about a particular piece of music. Saturday the Met High Definition broadcast will be Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito, and … Continue reading →

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COC Ensemble Studio Competition

Posted on November 30, 2012 by barczablog

As I drove downtown this morning, one track seemed very apt for an evening featuring the Canadian Opera Company’s second annual studio competition. Michael Slattery’s CD of Dowland songs –reimagined to explore his alleged Irish connection—concludes with a melancholy song … Continue reading →

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Keszei’s religious art

Posted on November 29, 2012 by barczablog

I know Attila Keszei as an artist working in several media, on a few recurring subjects. Sustainability has been a key preoccupation for him, both in his professional life at the University of Toronto, and in his art.  Images exploring … Continue reading →

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Canadian Stage 2013-2014 season

Posted on November 29, 2012 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. Tuesday, November 27, 2012 Canadian Stage announces  groundbreaking 2013.2014 season Featuring work by Robert Lepage, new productions of a 5-star hit from London and award-winning plays from Broadway, and productions helmed by four … Continue reading →

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Tapestry 2012/13 announcement

Posted on November 29, 2012 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. TAPESTRY ANNOUNCES UPCOMING 2012/13 SHOWS INCLUDING TORONTO PREMIERE DATES FOR SHELTER TORONTO, ON…Tapestry announced details for its upcoming 2012/13 season shows including the much-anticipated Toronto premiere of Shelter, a new opera … Continue reading →

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Incidental words

Posted on November 28, 2012 by barczablog

A “CD launch” or a “book launch” is a fascinating phenomenon.  I say that even though, cough cough, I’ve never really been very fascinated by them. Books and CDs are art objects we usually experience in private rather than as … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Celebrate

Posted on November 27, 2012 by barczablog

Do you need a reason? If so –that you can’t simply CELEBRATE, but do need a rationale– I can toss a few your way: If you’re a Torontonian you may be rejoicing in the victory of the Toronto Argonauts in … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 5 Comments

Roméo et Juliette 2008

Posted on November 26, 2012 by barczablog

I watched TFO’s broadcast of a live performance of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, from a 2008 Salzburg production. There was a bit of drama backstage, with Anna Netrebko’s cancellation, replaced by the unknown Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze.  Machaidze was only … Continue reading →

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Mrs Lincoln

Posted on November 25, 2012 by barczablog

In the latest Canadian Opera Company podcast, we were asked about the way women are used and abused in opera. As soon as the question was posed, and no one else started to speak, I seized the opportunity, to launch … Continue reading →

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Quilico’s Rigoletto

Posted on November 24, 2012 by barczablog

Some artists have an abundant recorded legacy, while others are curiously under-represented.  At times I find this irritating, because I suspect it’s more a reflection of market forces than an indication of real quality. I believe if Louis Quilico had … Continue reading →

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