Author Archives: barczablog

Questions for composer Linda Catlin Smith: an interview

Posted on September 19, 2026 by barczablog

Linda Catlin Smith is a composer I’m pleased to interview, as a couple of her works are about to be premiered, including one by the Toronto Symphony next week. Her music is heard and acclaimed around the world, whether it’s … Continue reading →

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Jennifer King’s suffragist pianism comes to Toronto

Posted on September 15, 2026 by barczablog

I think it’s the first time I was at a concert program like this, consisting entirely of classical music composed by women. To begin English composer Ethel Smyth (1858–1944) greeted us from the stage, introducing each piece that she played … Continue reading →

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Triumphant premiere of new adaptation of A Fine Balance at Crow’s Theatre

Posted on September 10, 2026 by barczablog

I loved it and the audience were vocal in their adoration. In reviewing the September 9th premiere performance of A Fine Balance at Crow’s Theatre, I want to look at what’s so special about Anosh Irani’s new adaptation & the … Continue reading →

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Guest blog: a Postcard from Bayreuth

Posted on August 28, 2026 by barczablog

This guest blog is written by Canadian Margarete Von Vaight: her Postcard from the 150th anniversary Bayreuth Festival. What happens when you travel to Bayreuth to see The Ring and discover there is no ring? No gold. No sword. No … Continue reading →

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Elissa Lee talks about the upcoming BIGLAKE Festival

Posted on August 18, 2026 by barczablog

Founders and Directors Elissa Lee and Johannes Debus present BIGLAKE, an annual festival in Prince Edward County (PEC). Founded in 2018 by classical musicians Elissa Lee and Johannes Debus in Toronto, the BIGLAKE Festival has become a cornerstone of quality … Continue reading →

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Tyler Seguin’s adaptation of Northanger Abbey premieres at Guild Festival Theatre

Posted on August 10, 2026 by barczablog

There’s a special magic with a new play. When it’s an adaptation of a beloved novel the excitement is greater. Tyler Seguin has adapted Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey in a production that premiered this weekend at Guild Festival Theatre in … Continue reading →

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Nebula Performances’ Artistic Director and co-founder, pianist Wenwen Du: an interview

Posted on August 8, 2026 by barczablog

It’s been fascinating to discover pianist Wenwen Du, who seems to be making a splash around the world as a collaborative pianist and as the artistic director of Nebula Performances. I found an amazing solo performance that she gave, playing … Continue reading →

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Two sides of the same fiddler

Posted on July 22, 2026 by barczablog

Toronto Summer Music showed us a magic trick. William Fedkenheuer played classical violin in the first half of the concert. William on violin and Orion Weiss on piano played a movement of Brahms, then a sonata of Beethoven and a … Continue reading →

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Kleztory at Toronto Summer Music

Posted on July 21, 2026 by barczablog

Kleztory made their third appearance at Toronto Summer Music Festival Monday July 20th at Walter Hall although this was my first chance to hear and see them, as much a visual as aural experience. Kleztory sometimes play music that we … Continue reading →

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Brontë: The World Without comes to Guild Festival Theatre in Scarborough

Posted on July 20, 2026 by barczablog

Gothic Girl Summer began this week at Guild Festival Theatre with Brontë: The World Without, a recent play by Jordi Mand. I laughed loudly for much of the play showing us episodes, a series of scenes from a three-year period … Continue reading →

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