Monthly Archives: December 2017

Ave atque vale 2017

Posted on December 31, 2017 by barczablog

Ave atque vale 2017.   And thank goodness the year is ending. While it may have included some celebratory moments –the Sesquicentennial of Canadian Confederation and my father’s 100th birthday—I felt a grim shadow hanging over everything. Can there be any … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 3 Comments

Candide at Toronto Operetta Theatre

Posted on December 29, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight was the first of six performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, running on consecutive weekends (evenings of Dec 28 & 30 Jan 5 & 6, matinees of Dec 31 & Jan 7), presented at the Bluma Appel Theatre by Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 1 Comment

Questions for Derek Bate

Posted on December 19, 2017 by barczablog

Derek Bate has impacted different aspects of the musical life of Toronto, known both for music-theatre & opera. A one time Chorus Master of the Canadian Opera Company, Derek was in the pit for the original Toronto Production of Les … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | 1 Comment

Singalong Messiah

Posted on December 18, 2017 by barczablog

I took advantage of the free fares on the TTC (celebrating the extension on Line 1) to ride downtown to Massey Hall for my first Tafelmusik Singalong Messiah in 20 years or more. And it’s the last one for awhile … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

Makeover or decay, vocally and otherwise

Posted on December 16, 2017 by barczablog

I’m preparing to sing something and I am afraid it — that I– will sound terrible. Ah this blog, it’s a big public diary, my therapy. These gut level perceptions in the moment without too much reflection, are assembled after … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Questions for Juan Chioran: Nine In Concert

Posted on December 13, 2017 by barczablog

Juan Chioran was born and raised in Alberti, Argentina. His parents immigrated from Italy after WWII and raised him and his brother in this small town two hours west of Buenos Aires. In 1975, at age 12 he moved with … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments

Questions for George Frideric Handel

Posted on December 10, 2017 by barczablog

I feel blessed to have had a chance to interview a hero and one of the most popular of all composers. “Popularity”? Let’s set aside the 21st century understanding with the weekend “box-office champion”.  When a work of art survives … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | 6 Comments

Best of Tchaikovsky

Posted on December 7, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight we heard one of the three Toronto Symphony orchestra concerts titled “Best of Tchaikovsky” at Roy Thomson Hall.  While I’m not sure if I’d agree with the title (I can think of pieces I would prefer), if they’re playing … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments

TIFT Candide

Posted on December 3, 2017 by barczablog

While 2017 was a year to celebrate Canada’s 150th, we’re now coming up on the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein.  Whether you pronounce it Bern–steen or Bern-stine, the composer, pianist & conductor was born in 1918, which means that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Four Weddings, a Funeral and a Coronation

Posted on December 1, 2017 by barczablog

That headline is the fanciful title for Tafelmusik’s latest concert.  While it may remind you of a certain British film, it’s a fair description of the evening’s program: one of such remarkable variety, as to constitute a veritable smorgasbord of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment