Author Archives: barczablog

Old with New

Posted on April 25, 2014 by barczablog

I was challenged to explain & even to defend something I love.  It was my second time seeing the Canadian Opera Company Hercules, accompanied by someone who prefers Puccini to Handel. Why this old story in modern dress?  Or rather, … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Leave a comment

Polar Bears and Lullabies

Posted on April 24, 2014 by barczablog

Today Rick Sacks brought his charismatic performance style to the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in a concert including the first piece dedicated to the RBA and the Canadian Opera Company. While we were in the realm of new instrumental music without … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Rick Sacks’ free concert tomorrow

Posted on April 23, 2014 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment Join Arraymusic’s Rick Sacks for a noon hour concert at the C.O.C.   presents Rick Sacks’ Solo MalletKat Concert Thursday., April 24, Noon The Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre (southeast corner of Queen … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Cobalt

Posted on April 23, 2014 by barczablog

It’s a colour.  It’s an element.  And most recently, it’s Jocelyn Morlock’s CD that I’ve been playing incessantly. I first encountered Morlock as one of the composers in the workshop experience of Tapestry Briefs,  a process whimsically compared to speed-dating. … Continue reading →

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

10 Questions for Kate Applin

Posted on April 17, 2014 by barczablog

Toronto soprano Kate Applin founded Metro Youth Opera, a new opera company designed to create viable development opportunities for young artists in all fields related to the world of opera: singers, stage directors, music directors, and more. Holder of an … Continue reading →

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

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Posted on April 17, 2014 by barczablog

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) cost $90 million to make but earned only $58 million. Even with the few bucks on PPV I spent tonight this is a film that seems to bely its own messages.    It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Looking at Lully

Posted on April 16, 2014 by barczablog

There are two departure points for this little excursion. 1) Opera Atelier’s Toronto revival of Persee opening next week 2) Joseph Kerman’s departure from the realm of the living, earlier this year. In Opera as Drama Kerman looks at a … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Opera | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Fawn Opera: l’Homme et le Ciel

Posted on April 12, 2014 by barczablog

I witnessed a clinic on how to create buzz. Let’s review. Social media spread the word about L’Homme et le Ciel, an opera in progress from Fawn Opera.  This past week, the performers did a workshop, and then opened it … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Kidd Pivot-The Tempest Replica@CanStage

Posted on April 12, 2014 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment Canadian Stage presents the Toronto premiere of The Tempest Replica created by award-winning Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite A Kidd Pivot production on stage at the Bluma Appel Theatre May 7 to … Continue reading →

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AJ Gray this is your life

Posted on April 9, 2014 by barczablog

I came to the restaurant for AJ Gray’s art displayed on the second floor. I’d known this place in its earlier incarnations, and now it has become “Harvest Kitchen”, on Harbord Street in that competitive stretch west of Spadina Ave … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Food, Health and Nutrition | Tagged | 8 Comments