Author Archives: barczablog

James Ehnes: a one-man show

Posted on July 18, 2017

This was the one I’ve been looking forward to for months, as James Ehnes played a full program of unaccompanied violin music in Koerner Hall.   I swear Ehnes played more notes than what he’d be required to play in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 2 Comments

Arthur Wenk and Story Cartel

Posted on July 15, 2017

Have you ever heard of The Story Cartel? It’s a new way of promoting books. Here’s how they explain it: The books you see on Story Cartel are all free in exchange for your honest review. Discover your next favorite book and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

St Lawrence Quartet gives Toronto Summer Music Sesqui spin

Posted on July 14, 2017

Tonight’s concert by the St Lawrence Quartet launching the 2017 Toronto Summer Music Festival, the first under their new Artistic Director Jonathan Crow, has me wishing I could spend the next few weeks doing nothing but going to TSM concerts. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Questions for Michael Rose: premiering A Northern Lights Dream with SOLT

Posted on July 12, 2017

Michael Rose is a familiar figure in the Toronto opera scene, a pianist, music-director & coach. On July 28th Summer Opera Lyric Theatre (SOLT) will be giving the world premiere of his first completed opera,  A Northern Lights Dream presented … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Questions, Questions | 1 Comment

Irresistible Flea

Posted on July 7, 2017

I am usually drawn to Fringe shows either by the material or by the personnel in the show, so I couldn’t miss Pulse Theatre’s production of Feydeau’s A Flea in Her Ear. It’s directed by Aleksandar Sasha Lukac, a director … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews, Theatre & musicals | Leave a comment

Going down to the sea with La Nef and Seán Dagher

Posted on July 5, 2017

As soon as I heard of Sea Songs & Shanties, a new recording by La Nef and Seán Dagher from ATMA, I eagerly obtained it because I had a good idea what I’d find: Musicianship Authenticity Passion And I haven’t been … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular music & culture | 3 Comments

Intense Bluffing in Scarborough

Posted on June 29, 2017

Tonight was a public hearing, a chance to see what the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority will do with the waterfront in Scarborough over the next few years, and an opportunity for the TRCA to get the feedback of community members, … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations, Politics, Sports | Leave a comment