Monthly Archives: July 2013

Exoticism –The Music of Karol Szymanowski

Posted on July 31, 2013 by barczablog

Earlier this summer I let someone pick the play I saw, observing how it’s valuable to let someone else choose what one will see and/or hear.  We circumscribe ourselves with our menu choices, our viewing habits, our purchases, boxing ourselves … Continue reading →

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The End, Mr Trotsky

Posted on July 28, 2013 by barczablog

I went to see This is the End, a very funny movie about the end of the world.  It’s full of famous actors I know and love: Seth Rogen, of Funny People, Superbad and Knocked Up James Franco, of the … Continue reading →

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Diva distress

Posted on July 27, 2013 by barczablog

Nothing is quite so delicious as a delicacy imperilled.  We love our rare wines, cheeses, hard to find films & DVDs.  Part of the enjoyment is in boasting of your exclusive enjoyment. It’s summertime, when some go to see operas … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Ai Weiwei Never Sorry

Posted on July 26, 2013 by barczablog

How apt that I begin writing about this film with an apology. I went looking for Ai Weiwei Never Sorry when I heard of this film, that had been shown at TIFF.  I sought an introduction to the artist, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Tickets for Ai Weiwei and David Bowie at the AGO

Posted on July 24, 2013 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 24, 2013 Tickets for Ai Weiwei: According to What? at the AGO go on sale Saturday, July 27 First block of tickets for David Bowie is to … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | 2 Comments

Cat music

Posted on July 23, 2013 by barczablog

I’ve written about cats before in this space.  At one time there were two cats in my house, Tara & Scarlett.  They had been born feral but rescued, fixed and raised for years in our home. Then one day Tara … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Geneology of Minimalism

Posted on July 21, 2013 by barczablog

A one word headline might be more minimalistic than this pretentious sounding title.  A friend cited Nietzsche’s Geneology of Morals, and it stayed in my head like a verbal ear-worm I suppose.  Or I could have emulated Darwin, to call … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Under the radar

Posted on July 20, 2013 by barczablog

At Luella Massey’s funeral service today, Professor Domenico Pietropaolo spoke of a dream near & dear to both of their hearts. Pietropaolo is a former Director of the Graduate Centre for Study of Drama, and is now Principal of St … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | 2 Comments

10 Questions for Melissa Hood

Posted on July 20, 2013 by barczablog

Melissa Hood isn’t gun shy, even if she’s at the heart of “gun shy theatre”, the team responsible for Stop Kiss, one of the best shows at the Fringe Festival in 2013 held over next week as part of Best … Continue reading →

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

The Misanthrope

Posted on July 19, 2013 by barczablog

One of the great joys of classical theatre is to be able to revisit works that one knows: or thinks that one knows.  A good play always has something new to show you. Case in point tonight, seeing the opening … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments