Author Archives: barczablog

I swallowed a moon made of iron: Oxymoronic, Prophetic

Posted on May 18, 2019

Njo Kong Kie has created a one man show from Xu Lizhi’s texts, that he sings and enacts mostly from the piano, I swallowed a moon made of iron, presented at the Berkeley Street Theatre by Canadian Stage. That title comes … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Theatre & musicals | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TSO + Davis = Mahler magic

Posted on May 17, 2019

I marked this one down on my calendar a long time ago, even though tonight on May 16th is a key date for other reasons… It’s COC’s Operanation It’s the world premiere of Shanawdithit, the co-pro from Tapestry / Opera … Continue reading →

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Boheme to close the deal

Posted on May 5, 2019

It’s that time of year when one considers renewing the opera subscription. Oh don’t get me wrong, I was going to renew it anyway. But the comment from the Mrs today was electric. She’s so glad to know that we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Robert Lepage’s 887 this time

Posted on May 4, 2019

Have you seen Robert Lepage’s 887? This show’s been all over the world. I missed the first Toronto incarnation in 2015 but saw it & raved about  it last time, brought to Toronto via Canadian Stage (one of the co-producers) … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Psychology and perception, Theatre & musicals | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Questions for John Abberger: 4th annual Bach Festival

Posted on May 3, 2019

John Abberger, one of North America’s leading performers on historical oboes, is a familiar face locally as the principal oboist with Tafelmusik (bio), often playing key solos in concerts as he did just last week. John is also Artistic Director … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COC Otello

Posted on May 1, 2019

On paper the Canadian Opera Company’s new offering, an English National Opera production of Verdi’s Otello directed by David Alden and starring Russell Thomas, Gerald Finley & Tamara Wilson is as good as it gets. It’s an incredible luxury to … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, Theatre & musicals | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Workshop of Shakespeare’s Criminal

Posted on April 27, 2019

Tonight I witnessed the first of 3 workshop performances at the Factory Theatre of Shakespeare’s Criminal from Orpheus Productions, a new chamber opera with music by Dustin Peters and libretto by Sky Gilbert, starring Marion Newman, Dion Mazerolle and Nathaniel … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Theatre & musicals | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment