Author Archives: barczablog

10 questions for Phillip Addis: Pyramus and Thisbe

Posted on September 29, 2015 by barczablog

Canadian Baritone Phillip Addis “is praised for his creamy, bright, smooth voice as much as for his spell-binding, daring, yet sensitive interpretations. A rising star on the international stage, Addis has performed in opera, concerts and recitals throughout Canada, the United … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Gábor Maté: Ayahuasca and the authentic self

Posted on September 28, 2015 by barczablog

Sunday morning instead of church I went to hear Doctor Gábor Maté address a mixed crowd at the George Ignatieff Theatre. Maté has a huge following from his writings & lectures exploring such pathways as the role of trauma & stress … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Thoughts of youth and mentorship open Toronto Symphony’s 2015-16 season

Posted on September 25, 2015 by barczablog

One of my favourite things about Toronto Symphony concerts is the steady stream of gratitude in the speeches that usually precede performances.  While opening night may be weighed down with ritual, the language was sincere, tonight’s season opener at Roy … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Another Country: another century

Posted on September 23, 2015 by barczablog

Last summer I mentioned the Pride-themed display & sale at Bay St Video, when, in addition to HBO’s Behind The Candelabra (2013), the Michael Douglas / Matt Damon vehicle about Liberace, I picked up Another Country (1984). I’d been captured … Continue reading →

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

You may say I’m a dreamer

Posted on September 22, 2015 by barczablog

It may be election time, but it isn’t a time of vision as far as I can see. The two big contenders to replace Harper –the Liberals & NDP—are offering a few key policy choices on child-care, marijuana, restoring the … Continue reading →

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

TSO – tiff Vertigo: so old, so new

Posted on September 21, 2015 by barczablog

I saw precisely one film at tiff this year, a movie conceived when I was a toddler. While you might know it as “Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo”, I would be more inclined to call it “Bernard Herrmann’s Vertigo”, especially when given … Continue reading →

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

Tafelmusik ask the forbidden question

Posted on September 18, 2015 by barczablog

If tonight’s Tafelmusik concert at Jeanne Lamon Hall (Trinity –St Paul’s Centre), with Mireille Lebel mezzo-soprano, and led by violinist Rodolfo Richter is any indication, I think we’ll see a lot more of him in future concerts. Richter doesn’t just … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 5 Comments

10 Questions for Adrianne Pieczonka: beyond the aria

Posted on September 15, 2015 by barczablog

Adrianne Pieczonka is one of Toronto’s treasures, a fabulous ambassador for Canada when she sings abroad. I first encountered her in Atom Egoyan’s Die Walkure with the Canadian Opera Company, a vocal and dramatic interpretation so compelling that it was as though … Continue reading →

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

En Bateau / in a boat

Posted on September 5, 2015 by barczablog

I was playing a delightful piano piece and for no apparent reason was suddenly overcome, and started to cry. Debussy’s “En bateau” is a lovely piece, about recreation. It’s the end of the summer for North Americans as we observe … Continue reading →

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Ten Questions for Dr Gábor Maté

Posted on September 5, 2015 by barczablog

Doctor Gábor Maté is someone I’ve admired from afar for a long time, without really knowing more than a few superficial details.  He’s known for the sort of beliefs that go beyond mere image management, an advocate and activist who … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Politics, Psychology and perception | Tagged , | 5 Comments