Author Archives: barczablog

Great and Big

Posted on July 3, 2014 by barczablog

Franz Schubert wrote two symphonies in C Major. Indeed he wrote two in D major and two in B-flat major as well. The two C Major symphonies are sometimes distinguished by size. One is called “the little C Major Symphony”, … Continue reading →

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Canada Day

Posted on July 1, 2014 by barczablog

It’s Canada Day, a day to celebrate and give thanks.   A big part of gratitude is recognition.  If we’re to be grateful for what we have, our eyes have to be open (and excuse me if i am repeating myself… … Continue reading →

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

From the Closet

Posted on June 29, 2014 by barczablog

We were planning to watch the HBO production Behind The Candelabra (2013), the film about Liberace’s love affair that stars Michael Douglas & Matt Damon.  It’s not just a coincidence that it’s Pride Weekend.  I was so captivated by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When The Sun Comes Out

Posted on June 27, 2014 by barczablog

On the occasion of World Pride in Toronto, Queer Innovative Theatre has brought Leslie Uyeda’s recent opera When The Sun Comes Out to Toronto for two performances at the intimate Ernest Balmer Studio. If you’ve read about it you’ve probably … Continue reading →

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AtG Pelléas et Mélisande

Posted on June 22, 2014 by barczablog

Against the Grain have done it again. Their outdoor production of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande is highly original, illuminating the opera is several unforgettable ways.  Joel Ivany’s director’s note in the program says “Upon getting to know this opera, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Missing book

Posted on June 18, 2014 by barczablog

No this isn’t a book review. I can’t get my hands on Thomas Piketty’s 700 page book Capital in the 21st Century. Forgive me if I am paranoid about this. Since when was a best-seller impossible to obtain? But try … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Ideal Pelléas

Posted on June 15, 2014 by barczablog

It may be redundant to speak of an ideal Pelléas et Mélisande. The work is symbolist, which means it’s by definition a kind of ideal work. And notice I did not say “An” or “The” ideal Pelléas. It was “Ideal … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Pilgrimage to Jussi Björling Museet

Posted on June 14, 2014 by barczablog

One of the first things I ask students in my opera course is whether they think more in terms of a favourite opera, or a favourite singer, as it’s a medium that can be understood in at least these two … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera | 6 Comments

Richard Wagner: A Life in Music

Posted on June 14, 2014 by barczablog

I just finished Martin Geck’s Richard Wagner: A Life in Music in Stewart Spencer’s 2013 translation. Published only in 2012 as Richard Wagner: Biografie you can judge for yourself how good this book must be, that its translation was pushed … Continue reading →

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

Nils Dardel and the Modern Age

Posted on June 11, 2014 by barczablog

One of the journeys of my life has been to reconcile myself to fame.  Not everyone gets famous, and often it’s the wrong people.  For this Canadian it is very clear at least how it doesn’t work. It is not … Continue reading →

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