Author Archives: barczablog

The Most Popular Operas

Posted on August 19, 2014 by barczablog

I teach a course at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies called “The Most Popular Operas”, a great excuse to watch and listen to some of the most wonderful music ever composed. “Popular operas”? While the first video you get … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera | 2 Comments

Forbidden Music

Posted on August 18, 2014 by barczablog

Although my luggage for the trip to the cottage included a pile of books on diverse subjects –popular culture, a novel, psychology, and a few musicology books—the one that seized my imagination was the darkest of the group. How could … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , | 2 Comments

My eyes are bigger than my stomach

Posted on August 9, 2014 by barczablog

I have reading to do. Do you ever go to a bookstore and get carried away with what you see? Of course with a bookstore there’s no time-limit. You can buy books that you read this week, or this year, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Angriest Man

Posted on August 8, 2014 by barczablog

When I was a child the word was “mad”. I get mad. You get mad. Later I decided I was mis-using “mad” because there was a better word: “anger”. It’s a subtler thing, a more adult thing, or so my … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Psychology and perception, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Leave a comment

Ten Questions for Greg Finney

Posted on August 7, 2014 by barczablog

Who is Gregory Finney?  As he puts it in one of his biographies, he’s “a predominantly Comedic Baritone with Tenoristic leanings and background”.  This is an artist who is a bit of a chamelon, able to sing high or low, play … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Leave a comment

Russia After Revolution

Posted on August 2, 2014 by barczablog

When Douglas McNabney –artistic director of  Toronto Summer Music Festival–programmed tonight’s concert, an evening of music that explores at least two compositions of the Soviet Era framed quaintly in the context of the Modernist experiment of the mid-20th Century– it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Radvanovsky: Humble Servant

Posted on August 1, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight at Koerner Hall, Sondra Radvanovsky offered a self-portrait in her recital as part of Toronto Summer Music Festival. It’s not just a huge coup for TSM & Artistic Director Douglas McNabney, the highest profile artist to appear there this … Continue reading →

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

Ten questions for Benjamin Bowman

Posted on July 30, 2014 by barczablog

American-Canadian violinist Benjamin Bowman performs to critical acclaim throughout North America, Europe and Asia. A very active and engaged chamber musician and soloist, he is a member or frequent guest artist for leading chamber music ensembles internationally, including the twice … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology | 1 Comment

BOP Program B

Posted on July 26, 2014 by barczablog

My trip to Stratford is over, but the cycling singers of the Bicycle Opera Project are still there. By the time I post this they’ll have finished Saturday afternoon’s show. A pair of performances remain Sunday at Revel Caffè presented under the auspices … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Bicycle Opera: Program A

Posted on July 25, 2014 by barczablog

Sometimes the writer recognizes that words are limited, that in the end “you had to be there” especially for something that’s more of an event or happening, than merely a conventional performance. It was never truer than this morning as … Continue reading →

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