Author Archives: barczablog

Questions for Augustin Hadelich

I’m fascinated to have recently discovered the brilliant, busy young violinist Augustin Hadelich. Augustin Hadelich’s first major orchestral recording featuring the violin concertos of Jean Sibelius and Thomas Adès (Concentric Paths) with Hannu Lintu conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, … Continue reading

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | 1 Comment

A Musical, The Importance of Being

I’ve just seen & heard the Toronto Operetta Theatre’s production of Earnest, The Importance of Being, a recent adaptation of Wilde’s play of (almost) the same name.  It was premiered in 2008 by TOT, music by Victor Davies and book … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Towards a new theatre vocabulary: Lepage, Cavalia and the legitimacy of aerials

It’s aerial week in Toronto: Robert Lepage’s pair of brief operas (Bluebeard’s Castle / Erwartung) for the Canadian Opera Company open May 6th at the Four Seasons Centre, including moments when you can’t tell which way is up Robert Lepage’s Needles … Continue reading

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 5 Comments

Barber @ RBA: voice trumps schtick

Today’s noon-hour presentation at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre was a teaser, sampling Act I of the upcoming Ensemble Studio performance of Rossini’s Barber of Seville.  These concerts are usually less than an hour including announcements, but today’s was a very … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Fearless Metro Youth Opera Béatrice et Bénédict

We live in a funny time. On the one hand it’s the era of director’s theatre, when operas can be a departure point for elaborate adventures so extreme that the composer’s work becomes mere background music for interpretations of the … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Youtube’s revolutions, big and small

It’s youtube’s tenth anniversary today.  Much will be written / spoken about the impact of this empowering channel and its imitators, the influence on political movements.  It’s played a role in uprisings & elections, actions both democratic and violent. And … Continue reading

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

Ararat: Music of Armenia

That’s better! Peter Oundjian is back in the saddle leading the Toronto Symphony with his easy authority, and once again there is an intersection between political and musical spheres, but without the friction we saw last time. Those parts of … Continue reading

Posted in Music and musicology | Leave a comment

Oshawa Opera 2015-16

  OSHAWA OPERA–2015-2016 SeasonCelebrating 2 Years of Opera in Oshawa Suor Angelica Septembre 27, 2015 Suor Angelica: Natalya Matyusheva Zia Principessa: Catherine CarewKristine Dandavino: music director (piano and chorus) Fidelio November 15, 2015 Leonore (Fidelio): Brigitte Bogar Florestan: Jason LamontKristine Dandavino: music director Viva Verdi!  … Continue reading

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Ten Questions for Wendy Nielsen

Wendy Nielsen is one of the most influential people in Canada’s opera community. After an international career as a soprano that has included starring appearances at the Metropolitan Opera, Nielsen went on to create a private voice studio. Nielsen is … Continue reading

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

#OdysseoTO: the Golden Age of The Circus

I saw Cavalia’s show Odysseo today at their big tent on the waterfront, in the company of my Mom & a rapturous grand-child.  The world has certainly changed. I’m reminded of the Commedia dell’Arte that was featured in the Barber … Continue reading

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 5 Comments