Author Archives: barczablog

Ariodante questions

Posted on October 24, 2016 by barczablog

My second time through the Canadian Opera Company’s Ariodante yesterday raised more questions in my mind. There are the vocal questions, ones that aren’t new.  I have long wondered about the way we perceive operatic performance, that a perfect performance … Continue reading →

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Fourth Annual Elizabeth Krehm Memorial Concert

Posted on October 23, 2016 by barczablog

Monday November 14 at 7:30pm at Metropolitan United Church Tickets & information Elizabeth Krehm passed away on November 17, 2012 in the ICU at St Michael’s Hospital. Every year since her passing, her family has held a memorial concert as … Continue reading →

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JAMES BOND: A Convenient Lie (Opera in Pasticcio)

Posted on October 23, 2016 by barczablog

MALFI PRODUCTIONS in collaboration with MANOSINISTRA LYRIC WORKSHOPS present:   Ian Fleming’s JAMES BOND: A Convenient Lie (Opera in Pasticcio) Libretto by Kyle McDonald   Saturday November 12, 2016 – 8pm BETTY OLIPHANT THEATRE (National Ballet School) 404 Jarvis St., Toronto, CANADA   … Continue reading →

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Opera Atelier creates a new Dido and Aeneas

Posted on October 21, 2016 by barczablog

Opera Atelier and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas go back a long way. This was the opera with which they began, thirty years ago. But this is not the same opera. Tonight we saw a new creation unveiled, an expanded version … Continue reading →

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What to expect from Ariodante

Posted on October 17, 2016 by barczablog

Part of me is dying to spill the beans about the Canadian Opera Company’s co-production of Ariodante that opened this afternoon in a matinee at Four Seasons Centre, but I have to tread carefully, as I studiously avoid spoilers, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Radvanovsky’s Norma

Posted on October 16, 2016 by barczablog

This isn’t your usual Norma. It’s an opera that requires talent and skill far above and beyond what’s usual or normal.  Believe the hype about Sondra Radvanovsky, who is singing the lead in Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece, in a cast as … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 5 Comments

Christophe Coin’s Eloquent Cello

Posted on October 8, 2016 by barczablog

An intermission conversation at a concert–Christophe Coin playing “The Eloquent Cello”– made a natural lead-in to Thanksgiving weekend, a reminder of the things I love about Tafelmusik baroque orchestra, for which I should be grateful.   We were discussing things of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

YUGE!

Posted on October 1, 2016 by barczablog

There’s nothing like an election to make you feel helpless, unless it’s an election in a foreign country where you don’t even get to vote. Looking back I’m feeling relief, having  survived Harper & Ford, endured Dubya, and the insults … Continue reading →

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Toronto Symphony flex their muscles

Posted on September 24, 2016 by barczablog

There are weeks when the ensembles in town confuse and confound us with their crossover efforts, doing things we might not expect.  This is supposedly a good thing, when historically informed players with their lovely old instruments venture into a … Continue reading →

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Elisa Citterio inspiring Tafelmusik

Posted on September 23, 2016 by barczablog

As I sat in the balcony an allegorical tableau seemed to be enacted before me. To my right sat Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, co-artistic directors of Opera Atelier. To my left sat Topher Mokrzewski and Joel Ivany, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment