Monthly Archives: August 2017

An Arabella DVD

Posted on August 29, 2017 by barczablog

Every year as I prepare to teach the Most Popular Operas course at University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies, I have to adjust the course to include the current season’s repertoire. Fall is in the air, as the nights … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera | 3 Comments

Beethoven’s five minute sermon

Posted on August 20, 2017 by barczablog

Nothing changes your perspective on a piece of music like repurposing it. The new context may strain the original to its breaking point. A happy tune works well at a party, perhaps not so well at a funeral. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 2 Comments

World Premiere of  Bandits in the Valley

Posted on August 15, 2017 by barczablog

For Immediate Release: August 15, 2017 Tapestry Opera Presents the World Premiere of  Bandits in the Valley at Toronto’s Historic Todmorden Mills -A free, all-ages opera for the community, weekends in September- TORONTO, ON: Canada’s leading contemporary opera company, Tapestry Opera, in conjunction with the … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Syrinx: The way the future used to sound

Posted on August 15, 2017 by barczablog

One can’t write objectively about friends, especially when those old friends are beloved pieces of music. I’m very fortunate to get all sorts of wonderful recordings through the mail.  One of the best things about the summertime, when there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Popular music & culture | 4 Comments

The Ethics of Sweat 

Posted on August 6, 2017 by barczablog

Sweat is the name of the opera produced this summer by The Bicycle Opera Project. The name seems like a natural for a company who pull opera around the country behind their cycles, even if tonight was an unseasonably cool … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 4 Comments

Toronto Summer Stoicism

Posted on August 4, 2017 by barczablog

Summer festivals can be a challenge.  Bayreuth may be the ne plus ultra for Wagner but you sit on hard seats as your reward for having traveled around the world.  Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Festival concert (in Walter Hall, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Jonathan Crow and Philip Chiu

Posted on August 1, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Concert featured violinist Jonathan Crow & pianist Philip Chiu. The first guy is the draw.  Jonathan Crow is the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster, and in his first season as the artistic director of Toronto Summer Music … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment