Author Archives: barczablog

Five composers in two days? If it’s Sunday it must be bel canto romance

Posted on May 19, 2026 by barczablog

I feel like an operatic sausage. I’m stuffed a lot into this post, having jammed too much opera into my head in a brief period of time. Talk about contrast! Saturday was the closing performance of the Lepage Bluebeard-Erwartung double … Continue reading →

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Co-existing worlds of Epic Wagnerian Toronto Symphony

Posted on May 15, 2026 by barczablog

Thursday night the Toronto Symphony showed us they could blend Western & non-Western cultural traditions. When Gustavo Gimeno spoke in his program note of the imminent arrival of thousands from abroad into our city for the FIFA matches, he spoke … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Don Giovanni’s women

Posted on May 13, 2026 by barczablog

On May 22nd the new Benevolence Opera Project, who present opera both as entertainment and as a platform for social engagement collaborate with Redwood Theatre to present Don Giovanni in a benefit supporting Redwood Women’s Shelter. I asked Holly Chaplin … Continue reading →

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Witnessing the birth of romanticism with young Werther

Posted on May 10, 2026 by barczablog

Excuse me as I gush. I love the new Canadian Opera Company production of Werther, featuring some of the best singing we’ve heard in years. I want people to come see this opera, so that the COC decides to do … Continue reading →

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Symbolist cicadas probing underneath

Posted on May 8, 2026 by barczablog

If you think the headline is cryptic, you should see the play. I saw the World Premiere of cicadas, a new work that I understand as an elaboration upon a radio play, a Tarragon Theatre and NAC English Theatre Co-Production … Continue reading →

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Ernesto Ramirez’s reflections on singing, preparing for his upcoming concert: an interview with a great singer

Posted on May 2, 2026 by barczablog

I am a big fan of Ernesto Ramirez and his beautiful tenor voice. I’ve seen him sing several times. The voice has a memorable sound, indeed the ideal colour for the Italian bel canto repertoire. He is a singer of … Continue reading →

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Best Toronto Symphony concert of the season

Posted on May 1, 2026 by barczablog

So far so good. I knew I was going to like this concert because they were playing pieces I liked. I did not expect this to be the best concert of the season. As we go into the month of … Continue reading →

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Tapestry Opera and Toronto Symphony Orchestra Announce Groundbreaking Masterclass for Emerging Star Conductors at Roy Thomson Hall

Posted on April 30, 2026 by barczablog

TORONTO, ON – Continuing their long-standing relationship, Tapestry Opera and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) join forces for a masterclass on Saturday, May 16, 2026, dedicated to the next generation of women and non-binary conductors and music directors in Canada. … Continue reading →

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The ambiguous virtuosity of La Maupin

Posted on April 30, 2026 by barczablog

La Maupin is the title of a new opera produced on film concerning a mythological person of ambiguous gender who may have existed. The historical figure is so interesting, you’d have to invent someone like this if she were not … Continue reading →

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History captured in Toronto Beach Chorale’s Carmina Burana

Posted on April 28, 2026 by barczablog

My daughter and I joined an overflowing crowd eager to hear Toronto Beach Chorale with Mississauga Chamber Singers and their guests in a jam-packed Kingston Road United Church. The short pieces in the first half of the concert with introductory … Continue reading →

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