Author Archives: barczablog

CASP at RBA

Posted on March 27, 2014 by barczablog

I’d like to call the Canadian Art Song Project a recent initiative, but I think the truth is that they’ve been around since 2011 and so I’m late to the party. Today was my first encounter with CASP. They were … Continue reading →

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

Any interpreter

Posted on March 27, 2014 by barczablog

Am I like everyone else? Could be. I know people who get bored with music, are incessantly searching for new tunes, new interpretations, new sensations.  I don’t use that B word, which strikes me as a kind of obscenity.  How … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | 5 Comments

American Hustle

Posted on March 23, 2014 by barczablog

It should be better.  The performances are mostly good.  Christian Bale is amazing with a surprisingly big gut and a comb-over, channelling the Robert De Niro of Raging Bull.  Yes, we’re told, Amy Adams can act.  This is the sexiest … Continue reading →

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

Pesky Porter raccoons

Posted on March 23, 2014 by barczablog

I had a conflict of interest, I’ll state it right off the bat.  I love flying to New York on Porter airlines.  As a resident of Scarborough it doesn’t make that much difference going to Billy Bishop Airport on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Art, Architecture & Design, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Leave a comment

10 Questions for Laura Pudwell

Posted on March 21, 2014 by barczablog

Laura Pudwell’s reputation as a superb vocalist has been well-established as a result of her performances worldwide, in a vast repertoire ranging from early music to contemporary works. I’ve been watching her engaging performances for many years, fascinated by her … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Voices to discover

Posted on March 20, 2014 by barczablog

The media give us interfaces with the arts.  Yes, we can go see plays, concerts & operas in person.  But what are the credentials of those voices on TV, radio, in newspapers and elsewhere?  We’ve all heard that  line “those … Continue reading →

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

Creature to Creature

Posted on March 17, 2014 by barczablog

Talisker Players’ program themed around the animal kingdom titled “Creature to Creature” was better than expected. I should explain, because I love Talisker.  Why lower expectations?  Classical programs using music about animals usually condescend. Such compositions –however excellent—are relegated to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Miller and his Wife

Posted on March 16, 2014 by barczablog

There were two distinct parts to Puppetmongers’ shows today.   First came the magic, then the magicians –Ann and David Powell—explained their tricks. The program is among their oldest works.  The Miller was first presented in 1974 and its sequel The … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pain and meds

Posted on March 15, 2014 by barczablog

The 1980s were a decade of pain.  It was a momentous decade for me including: a marriage the birth of a child a divorce another marriage While lots happened –joyfully and painfully– on the outside, my biggest drama was going … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Sondheim not quite by Sondheim

Posted on March 8, 2014 by barczablog

Marry Me A Little is 75 minutes or so of songs written by Stephen Sondheim.  These are songs that were cut from other shows and then assembled into a play by a bunch of other people.  It’s new at the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments