Author Archives: barczablog

Honeymoon or Shotgun Wedding?

Posted on November 5, 2015 by barczablog

If you are a Torontonian, no one can rain on this parade. The swearing in of the Trudeau Cabinet had the kind of breathless following of a Royal Wedding. Can you say “honeymoon”? Don’t get me wrong.  I was in … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | 2 Comments

10 Questions for Matthew Jocelyn

Posted on November 4, 2015 by barczablog

If you were to read Matthew Jocelyn’s biography on the Canadian Stage website you might be surprised. Originally from Toronto and later based in France, Jocelyn is an internationally acclaimed producer and director of theatre, dance and opera as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Mezzo madness at the COC Ensemble Studio Competition

Posted on November 4, 2015 by barczablog

Centre Stage 2015, the Canadian Opera Company’s ensemble competition gala, was a celebration of Canada & Canadian talent. Co-hosted by two former winners, we were treated to both official languages, thanks to Karine Boucher’s exquisite French pronunciation as a charming … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , | Leave a comment

10 Questions for Dan Mousseau: Hamlet

Posted on November 4, 2015 by barczablog

I had the pleasure of meeting Dan Mousseau at Ryerson Theatre School, a remarkable training ground for many of the best actors in this country. You can surmise his range from the fact he’s been cast as both John in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, University life | Leave a comment

Psycho and the art of horror with the Toronto Symphony

Posted on November 1, 2015 by barczablog

For Halloween the Toronto Symphony presented their latest film with a live accompaniment, namely Psycho. A film buff might call it “Hitchcock’s Psycho.“ A film-music buff might prefer “Bernard Herrmann’s Psycho” which is closer to how I see it. Without … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Painting set free by JMW Turner

Posted on October 31, 2015 by barczablog

When I was a teenager I discovered the great English painter Joseph Mallord William Turner (23 April 1775 – 19 December 1851) at around the same time that my infatuation began with the other romantic artists in other media. In poetry … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments

10 questions for Sarah Thorpe: Heretic

Posted on October 31, 2015 by barczablog

Toronto native Sarah Thorpe studied Theatre at York University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in 2007, and also the theatre department’s Mira Friedlander Award for achievements in theatre writing, criticism, world and Canadian theatre studies. Sarah’s affiliation … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Explosive Trouble with Mr. Adams

Posted on October 31, 2015 by barczablog

What is the trouble with Mr. Adams? Nothing we haven’t seen before. As it’s summarized on the Tarragon Theatre website “The Trouble With Mr Adams is a “brand new play from Tarragon Playwright-in-Residence Gord Rand’ [that] exposes the male mid-life … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Embedded in David Warrack’s oratorio Abraham

Posted on October 29, 2015 by barczablog

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built againt it  — Rumi I am home after standing & singing alongside the Elmer Iseler Singers. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Mahler’s Symphony No. 2: benefit for St. Michael’s Hospital

Posted on October 27, 2015 by barczablog

Benefit concert for St. Michael’s Hospital presents Mahler’s monumental Symphony No. 2  TORONTO — An epic Mahler masterpiece takes centre stage on Nov. 16, 2015, in a special concert at Metropolitan United Church to benefit St. Michael’s Hospital (SMH). This annual fundraiser … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment