Author Archives: barczablog

Ten Questions for Nicole Brooks

Posted on July 29, 2015 by barczablog

Nicole Brooks is a filmmaker, director, performer, singer, playwright, composer, curator, teacher and “art-ivist,” who has devoted over 15 years producing innovative content (for the stage and screen), with a focus on narratives that illuminate the peoples of the African Diaspora. … Continue reading →

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

Mussolini vs The Mermaid: what little girls –and boys—dream

Posted on July 27, 2015 by barczablog

Thursday night is the preview performance of DIVE: Odes for Lighea, Nik Beeson’s new opera at The Array Space. DIVE is based on Giuseppe di Lampedusa’s short story The Professor and the Siren. That’s “siren” as in mermaid. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Timothy Vernon

Posted on July 27, 2015 by barczablog

One of the biggest opera stories of the year will come to fruition this fall.  Timothy Vernon, already founder & Artistic Director with Pacific Opera Victoria, will take on the additional role as Artistic Director with Opera Lyra Ottawa, sometimes … Continue reading →

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

Partnerships: the next evolutionary step

Posted on July 26, 2015 by barczablog

Over the past few years we’ve been watching a new model for opera in Ontario, with the appearance of several small companies: Against the Grain Essential Opera Opera 5 I couldn’t help noticing the latest development, namely companies entering into … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera | Leave a comment

Trudeau against the puritans

Posted on July 26, 2015 by barczablog

I hate attack ads. I previously wrote about this detestable tool before.  In vaudeville, when a performer didn’t get applause they would pull them offstage with a hook. Attack ads are like rhetorical hooks, grabbing at people to trip them, but without … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Leave a comment

Ten Questions for Nik Beeson

Posted on July 23, 2015 by barczablog

Nik Beeson is a digital communicator & electro-acoustic composer, and completely new to me. I’ve been listening to the CD for DIVE: Odes for Lighea at the encouragement of Alex Fallis, who will be directing the project in its premiere July … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Whose Opera Is It Anyway?” : Improv Fund-raiser from Loose TEA

Posted on July 18, 2015 by barczablog

IMMEDIATE release Information contact: Alaina Viau: 647-539-4020, alaina@looseteamusictheatre.com Loose Tea’s Artistic Director Alaina Viau today announced that Loose Tea will host “Whose Opera Is It Anyway?” on July 22, 2015 from 7pm-9pm at the Office Pub at 117 John Street. … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Minions Is Good

Posted on July 18, 2015 by barczablog

Never read a review before seeing something about which you have no choice.  Adults & children seeing a film aimed squarely at a child? Best to be a child or to be like a child. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus says … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Attila Keszei: the eco-warrior rides on

Posted on July 18, 2015 by barczablog

My friend Attila Keszei is back.  Attila, an engineer who offered heroic leadership in the quest for sustainability and reducing the university’s carbon footprint retired from the University of Toronto a few years ago.  But his creativity continues unabated,  retirement … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, University life | Tagged | 3 Comments

Remembering Jon Vickers, Canadian Heldentenor

Posted on July 12, 2015 by barczablog

There have been two singers above all the others who mattered to me as I grew up. Both were tenors.  I’ve talked about Jussi Björling, my touchstone of vocal perfection and the subject of a recent pilgrimage in Sweden. The other … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments