Author Archives: barczablog

Tcherniakov’s Wozzeck

Posted on February 26, 2014 by barczablog

Dmitri Tcherniakov is a brilliant young artist—just approaching his 44th birthday—who designs his own sets & costumes as well as directing his singers.  The DVD I just watched of Alban Berg’s opera Wozzeck was a co-pro. between the Bolshoi Theatre … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Questions about WWI. (Re)Visions of the Aftermath

Posted on February 23, 2014 by barczablog

WWI. (Re)Visions of the Aftermath, presented this week at Theatre Glendon beginning Wednesday February 26, is an exercise in history & story-telling, both onstage and inter-actively through social media. What was World War I? What impact did it have, perhaps still … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | 2 Comments

ATMA Orlando

Posted on February 23, 2014 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to a recording that deserves recognition.  It’s an ATMA Classics recording of Handel’s Orlando.  Is anyone anywhere recording operas anymore?  Perhaps the question sounds a bit silly, but the health of the classical music industry has been … Continue reading →

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

Saul

Posted on February 22, 2014 by barczablog

The biblical story of Saul is one of the most psychologically complex stories in the Old Testament.  Young David is a humble shepherd brought to soothe the troubled spirit of King Saul with his harp-playing.  Later David surprises everyone by … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

COC Ballo voices

Posted on February 21, 2014 by barczablog

Back on February 2nd (aka Groundhog Day: when the cowardly little varmints ran back into their little holes) I had a choice.  I could have gone to see the opening of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ballo in maschera, which purported … Continue reading →

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Ronnie Burkett—The Daisy Theatre

Posted on February 20, 2014 by barczablog

If “OuZooooonian” is Ronnie Burkett’s scary word for the dark place of judgment beyond the proscenium in Toronto there’s probably a comparable word in every other city. I am not sure which sort of virtuosity is most impressive. The brilliant … Continue reading →

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L’orchestre d’hommes-orchestres win Glenn Gould Protégé Prize

Posted on February 19, 2014 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment.  Robert Lepage names  L’orchestre d’hommes-orchestres (LODHO) winner of City of Toronto Glenn Gould Protégé Prize  Toronto, ON (February 19, 2014) – Robert Lepage, Laureate of the Tenth Glenn Gould Prize, has … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Accomplished Don

Posted on February 17, 2014 by barczablog

I think I recall seeing the trailer for Don Jon last summer.  It came & went, and now I’ve caught up with the Don on the small screen via pay per view. I recall having an argument with a director … Continue reading →

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

Oshawa Opera Carmen

Posted on February 16, 2014 by barczablog

I had a look at Oshawa Opera today and liked what I saw and heard, as did the large and eager audience jammed into Kingsview United Church.  The space is an inviting one with a surprisingly good acoustic that surrounds … Continue reading →

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Thomas Allen—Songs of the Sea

Posted on February 13, 2014 by barczablog

Although today’s free noon-hour concert by Thomas Allen at the Richard Bradshaw Auditorium was titled “Songs of the Sea” the waters could have been the fountain of youth.  Allen is the biggest name singer currently appearing in the Canadian Opera … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment