Author Archives: barczablog

Nutty professors

Posted on September 18, 2016 by barczablog

A friend of mine who teaches at a Canadian university asked me to suggest a good text to explain Leitmotifs. I was stopped short, because it’s a tricky subject.  While Wagner’s mature operas are regularly spoken of using the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, University life | 2 Comments

Kubo, because I promised

Posted on September 18, 2016 by barczablog

I feel very much at cross purposes, having promised I would complain about something in a film that I loved. The film is Kubo and the Two Strings. Let me get the complaint out of the way, as it’s from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | 1 Comment

Back to where it all began: Against the Grain Theatre announce seventh season

Posted on September 15, 2016 by barczablog

Against the Grain Theatre goes back to its roots for seventh season in 2016/2017 A classic remount and a residency with the Canadian Opera Company bring AtG back to where it all began TORONTO — Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

THE SECRET GARDEN in concert

Posted on September 14, 2016 by barczablog

Podium Concert Productions presents THE SECRET GARDEN New Company to focus on Musical Theatre ‘in Concert’ Presentations Inaugural Production set for January 2017 Podium Concert Productions (Peter da Costa and Mark Camilleri) proudly presents the Tony Award®-winning musical THE SECRET … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Together We’re Unlimited: A benefit concert

Posted on September 12, 2016 by barczablog

Merle Garbe & Jeff Gilburd present TOGETHER WE’RE UNLIMITED A Benefit Concert in Support of Thyroid Cancer Research  Toronto, August, 2016 – TOGETHER WE’RE UNLIMITED is a benefit concert in   celebration of Hope and Possibilities, with all proceeds designated to … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Encounter with Hilary Kilbourn

Posted on September 9, 2016 by barczablog

I posted a press release earlier this week, concerning someone who passed through my life briefly. One paragraph in particular caught my eye: About The Hilary Kilbourn Memorial Fund Hilary continues to cast her spell over the Island through good … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 2 Comments

Hilary Kilbourn Memorial Benefit

Posted on September 7, 2016 by barczablog

September 6, 2016 Hilary Kilbourn Memorial Benefit To raise money to purchase a grand piano Toronto Island, ON.  September 18, 2016 3:00-5:00PM Toronto Island, ON – The St. Andrew-by-the-Lake Community proves time and again that great music is priceless & timeless. … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | 1 Comment

Brady, Kaepernick, Eastwood and Trump 

Posted on September 5, 2016 by barczablog

  The arts confuse us regularly, somewhat like life itself.  One minute we’re kept at a distance by a performance using some alienating device calling attention to the artifice, the next we’re sucked into the world we’re watching.  I believe … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Popular music & culture | Leave a comment

Questions for Sabatino Vacca as SOLO begins

Posted on September 4, 2016 by barczablog

Sabatino Vacca is a busy man, Music Director of the Cambridge Symphony, Milton Philharmonic and the Etobicoke Philharmonic Orchestras, and now the Artistic Director of the brand-new Southern Ontario Lyric Opera, or “SOLO”.  For the launch of SOLO’s first season a … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Leave a comment

Taking up Lance’s nationalist challenge to the CBC #Canada150

Posted on August 31, 2016 by barczablog

Lawrence Wiliford (AKA Lance Wiliford) posted the following on Facebook today: I challenge @CBCMusic @CBCclassical @CBCArts to air 15 mins/day of music by Canadian classical composers during 2017. Not film or crossover.#Canada150. Canadian Music Centre Canadian League of Composers/La Ligue … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | 6 Comments