Author Archives: barczablog

Ennio Morricone has passed

Posted on July 7, 2020

This is almost an insult, to post this short little thing in response to the passing of Ennio Morricone. I’m merely doing this to call attention to his range, to his influence, and yes, because it’s fun posting something moving … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pete Davidson – The King of Staten Island

Posted on July 4, 2020

You might know Pete Davidson a couple of ways. He’s a regular on Saturday Night Live. He could be the avatar of sensational relationship failure, famously dumped by Ariana Grande, among others. Pardon me, I have no idea what he’s … Continue reading →

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Stewart Goodyear – Beethoven piano concerti

Posted on June 27, 2020

It’s 2020, a year I’m tempted to call “World, Interrupted,” recalling the 1999 film set in a psychiatric hospital. At times our virtual online lives resemble the simulation of real living as though we’ve been wrapped in strait-jackets, locked up … Continue reading →

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First recording of Scarlatti’s first opera

Posted on June 21, 2020

You may know the name “Scarlatti”. Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757), wrote those fascinating sonatas for keyboard, but he’s not the only Scarlatti by any means. He had an older brother Pietro Scarlatti (1679-1750) who had some success as a composer. Domenico’s father … Continue reading →

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A Knave in the House of Cards

Posted on June 20, 2020

A meditation on dayjobs A long time ago I was an undergraduate, a university student fresh out of high school. At the time a summer job was indispensable to help me afford my life between September & May, living in … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

The view from here: perspectives on careers in music & the arts from Margarete von Vaight

Posted on June 17, 2020

An interview with Margarete von Vaight Careers in the arts were always a risky proposition.  Right now as companies push the pause button on their seasons there’s extra cause for concern.  Can those organizations come back? And what happens to … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture, University life | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Disturbance in the Force: a Natural Experiment with Audiences

Posted on June 13, 2020

With all the performers, musicians, artists social distancing at home, you might think that this is an opportunity, that they’d be busy singing, strumming, painting…. All that time to create, right? Yet it’s not what I hear on social media. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COC General Director Responds

Posted on June 13, 2020

COC GENERAL DIRECTOR RESPONDS TO MEDIA REPORTS OF AN EARLY DEPARTURE FOR PARIS Toronto – In response to recent media speculation out of France that COC General Director Alexander Neef plans on exiting his role with the Canadian Opera Company … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Whither Canadian Opera Company: after Neef

Posted on June 11, 2020

Did you know? The first ever Monty Python episode was titled Whither Canada. I suspect it’s a title meant to invoke the sort of bland but innocent British documentary we see here in Canada as “Hinterland Who’s Who” or “Heritage … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Sports | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

“If you build it they will come” revisited, or Field of Dreams in 2020

Posted on June 3, 2020

I was looking for an uplifting bit of escapism. Field of Dreams is a film that I’ve always loved. It still moved me when I saw it this weekend but now in a totally new way. One of the small … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Popular music & culture, Spirituality & Religion, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment