Author Archives: barczablog

10 Questions for Barbara Hannigan

Posted on February 21, 2015 by barczablog

Barbara Hannigan is one of Canada’s most remarkable exports, a brilliant singer, conductor and actor of rare conviction.  While I haven’t heard her use the word “actor” to describe herself, how can I omit it, when I struggle to describe … Continue reading →

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

Wagnerian truths, whether on the COC stage or your own electronic device

Posted on February 20, 2015 by barczablog

Ah such a long title. I’m already being Wagnerian. He’s everywhere whether you know it or not, Wagner not precisely über alles, but still ubiquitous. We talked about him inevitably last night in class, discussing the dramaturgy of silent film, … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 7 Comments

“Don Giovanni or Don JianGhomeshi…?“

Posted on February 13, 2015 by barczablog

The quote in the headline is the witty riposte of Ian Henderson as part of the conversation about Dmitri Tcherniakov’s Don Giovanni. You may have thought of it as Mozart’s Don Giovanni,…? ha! but when a modern opera director gets … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Pockets picked: the inspiring story of Pocket Opera

Posted on February 4, 2015 by barczablog

The show must go on, and it usually does (from Janos Gereben in California). Pocket Opera ( http://www.pocketopera.org/ ), Donald Pippin’s inimitable 38-year-old performing organization, has always lived on pennies, but now – thanks to clueless thieves the day before … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 2 Comments

Deep in the Vienna Woods

Posted on February 4, 2015 by barczablog

There’s a well-known waltz-tune by Johann Strauss Jr called Tales from the Vienna Woods.  It begins with an air of mystery, suggestions of the country, woods, birds, and also the use of unsophisticated instruments such as the zither. It’s an … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, University life | 3 Comments

Opera Atelier’s 30th Anniversary Season

Posted on January 28, 2015 by barczablog

2015-2016 Toronto season includes internationally lauded Armide and Lucio Silla FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Toronto, ON (January 27, 2015) – Opera Atelier’s 30th Anniversary Season will celebrate the company’s status as the busiest touring opera company in North America. A new … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Old review of Egoyan’s Die Walküre

Posted on January 27, 2015 by barczablog

I posted this –a review of the current production in a different theatre from a decade ago– on a different website.  I am re-posting it because i won’t be able to see the opening of the new production at the … Continue reading →

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

Tafelmusik’s Beethoven: the romance continues

Posted on January 26, 2015 by barczablog

Let’s begin by saying I’m not your typical Tafelmusik fan.  Yes I love their work with Opera Atelier under David Fallis & at Messiah time with Ivars Taurins (aka Herr Handel), but I am often frustrated by them.  Tafelmusik could … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Some resist seduction by Tcherniakov’s Don Giovanni

Posted on January 25, 2015 by barczablog

Today’s opening of the Canadian Opera co-production of Don Giovanni directed by Dmitri Tcherniakov met with a mixed reception at the Four Seasons Centre. I heard a few boos, saw some empty seats at the end and heard an earful … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 10 Comments

Opera 5: Modern (Family) Opera

Posted on January 24, 2015 by barczablog

I was invited to think and feel at tonight’s first performance of the Opera 5 program “Modern (Family) Opera”. I laughed a lot, I felt a lot, and my mind’s awhirl. The family theme is approached from two very different … Continue reading →

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