Author Archives: barczablog

Melissa McCarthy and the F word: Spy vs Spies

Posted on June 7, 2015 by barczablog

For more than half a century we’ve been watching various bodacious hunks enacting our fantasies of control at a time of great anxiety. Cold War jitters made the heroics of James Bond and his ilk extra attractive no matter how … Continue reading →

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

Goodyear plays Rachmaninov

Posted on June 7, 2015 by barczablog

Now I have a better idea what we missed. Stewart Goodyear was in the news recently when the Toronto Symphony hired him to replace the scheduled pianist at the last minute: until he withdrew due to online harassment. On social … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 1 Comment

#AtGdeathdesire: more desire than death

Posted on June 3, 2015 by barczablog

If yesterday’s Dora announcement is anything to go by the youthful Against the Grain crew are a force to be reckoned with, as they’re up for several awards. Tonight AtG opened their latest, Death & Desire. Reading the lists of … Continue reading →

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Operatic Doras

Posted on June 2, 2015 by barczablog

Awards are a wonderful way to celebrate excellence.  They serve to promote individuals and their performances, while also raising the profile of an entire industry.  I hope that nothing I say here in any way diminishes the work done by … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

Ann Cooper Gay says goodbye to Canadian Children’s Opera Company

Posted on May 25, 2015 by barczablog

Today the Canadian Children’s Opera Company said their goodbyes to Ann Cooper Gay, their departing Artistic & Executive Director. In last year’s interview I alluded to her importance, as one of the most influential figures in opera and music in … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

Toronto Consort—a new Play of Daniel

Posted on May 23, 2015 by barczablog

I saw something brand-new, from the 12th century. It’s one of the ironies of theatre or music that sometimes recent works give you comparatively little room for invention, every page stipulating how it must be interpreted. If you want real … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Festival of Early Drama June 5-7

Posted on May 22, 2015 by barczablog

An anniversary nearly 400 (and 50!) years in the making!Toronto’s Medieval and Renaissance players celebrate their 50th anniversary with the Festival of Early Drama June 5 – 7, 2015Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS) continues its year-long celebration of 50 years of … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements, University life | 1 Comment

Andrew Davis – Verdi Requiem

Posted on May 22, 2015 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony are celebrating a 40 year relationship with Sir Andrew Davis, their one-time music director (from 1975-1988) and currently their Conductor Laureate, with a series of concerts over the next couple of weeks. Tonight’s concert featured Verdi’s Requiem, … Continue reading →

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

Is #AtGdeathdesire a new genre?

Posted on May 21, 2015 by barczablog

The word “new” is getting old pretty fast.  It’s used every time we encounter something a bit different. Nowadays everything is either retro, new or some combination of the two.  I am hesitant about using the word in the headline … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Brecht, Music and Culture: Hanns Eisler in Conversation

Posted on May 20, 2015 by barczablog

I have a fondness for interviews, having conducted quite a few on this blog, but I can only look on in awe when I see someone capable of asking really good questions when I see someone capable of making really … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments