Author Archives: barczablog

Woolf at the door, Orlando in your head

Posted on October 31, 2026 by barczablog

Thursday night I experienced Orlando: Ema Nikolovska with Sean Shibe. A good concert shows us how and why. How to curate, assemble, share, perform. And why we do this at all, the community of listeners & watchers observing. I felt … Continue reading →

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Ema Nikolovska talks about Orlando, her upcoming concert with Sean Shibe

Posted on October 27, 2026 by barczablog

A good concert program is an invitation, encouraging you to think and feel in response to the combination of materials & performances. That’s what I felt when I heard about Orlando: Ema Nikolovska with Sean Shibe, this Thursday, October 29, … Continue reading →

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Holly Chaplin talks about singing, directing and fund-raising with Benevolence Opera Project at the Redwood Theatre

Posted on October 24, 2026 by barczablog

Fast Times in Seville is a new version of Carmen, coming Friday November 13th. Cursed in Mantua adapts Rigoletto the next night, Saturday November 14th. Both shows are fundraisers in support of Benevolence Opera Project (aka “BOP”), a new organization, … Continue reading →

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Opera Atelier’s Descent of Orpheus

Posted on October 23, 2026 by barczablog

Watching Opera Atelier open their fall season at Koerner Hall Thursday October 22nd was a snapshot of their history in one impressive show. Their new production of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s The Descent of Orpheus (1686), continues the company’s exploration of theatre … Continue reading →

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Interviewing conductor Ivars Taurins

Posted on October 19, 2026 by barczablog

I bask in the reflected glory of interview subjects. If they look good I look good, and that’s especially true when they’re showing their brilliance in this space. One of the most enjoyable interviews I ever did was with George … Continue reading →

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Virtuoso Traviata to close COC fall season

Posted on October 18, 2026 by barczablog

I was glad to see the final show in the Canadian Opera Company’s fall run of La Traviata Saturday afternoon October 17th, a chance to hear the trio of principals (soprano Kathryn Lewek, tenor Long Long & baritone Russell Braun) … Continue reading →

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Third time’s a charm with Egoyan-COC Cosi fan tutte: starring Johannes Debus

Posted on October 11, 2026 by barczablog

I got lucky. The Canadian Opera Company Cosi fan tutte that I saw Saturday October 10th is the best one yet. This is the third time that the COC have staged the Atom Egoyan production of the Mozart opera “Così … Continue reading →

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Adanya Dunn rescuing Grande Duchesse for Toronto Operetta Theatre: an interview

Posted on October 9, 2026 by barczablog

Adanya Dunn is a singer I know from modern opera productions with companies such as Tapestry Opera, FAWN Chamber Creative or Against the Grain. I heard that the singer who was supposed to sing the title role in Toronto Operetta … Continue reading →

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Multiple layers and questions raised by Prophetess at Tarragon

Posted on October 8, 2026 by barczablog

My first impression of Prophetess was one of pure delight, laughing with an enthusiastic Tarragon Theatre audience at the delightful clarity of playwright Ho Ka Kei (Jeff Ho) and the direction of Mike Payette. Watching Margaret, a professor obsessed with … Continue reading →

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Drama and lyricism from Scarborough Philharmonic Showpieces

Posted on October 4, 2026 by barczablog

Scarborough Philharmonic opened their 2026-27 season Friday October 2nd with something of a bombshell announcement. SPO’s Artistic Director & Conductor Ronald Royer stood before us, disclosing that he’s fighting cancer. He confidently predicted he would beat it, returning fully next … Continue reading →

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