Author Archives: barczablog

Evangelist Season

Posted on December 9, 2013 by barczablog

One has to be careful with metaphors.  We use them without safety nets or training wheels, which is to say, they’re a kind of figurative language that’s riskier than simile,  those constructions where the relationships in the signification are spelled … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking about snobs, with Baz Luhrmann and Jay Gatsby

Posted on December 8, 2013 by barczablog

I’m thinking about two competing narratives lately, as I alluded at the beginning of my review of Singing the Earth.  Is transcendent activism possible? Nelson Mandela seems to say yes.  Rob Ford would agree, although he sees himself as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Singing the Earth: The Old & The New

Posted on December 6, 2013 by barczablog

Today is a day of contrasts.  The morning paper brought more revelations about Toronto’s Mayor, while this afternoon’s social media story was the passing of Nelson Mandela.  While Mandela seems to embody the possibilities for heroic activism nothing suggests that  … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

And after Rota

Posted on December 4, 2013 by barczablog

The concert was titled “The Unknown Chamber Music of Nino Rota”. How could I resist, being already a fan of Rota’s film compositions?  This is the man who gave us the iconic Godfather music.  My favourite is his score for … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The great Canadian opera

Posted on December 3, 2013 by barczablog

It’s such a funky headline, almost an oxymoron.  The book of Canadian operas is a slim volume indeed, but the list of great Canadian operas?  Hm, are there any? Even one? I have two names bouncing in my head right … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 14 Comments

Act Your Age PAL-ACTRA Fundraiser

Posted on December 1, 2013 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. ActYourAge proudly presents The 4th Annual AYA Holiday Show Waiting for CABARET An evening of music, comedy, & stories performed by talented & well-seasoned performers… a fund-raiser for the Performing Arts … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

A messed-up pattern

Posted on December 1, 2013 by barczablog

I  used to think I was normal.  But when you see the same pattern over and over in several films you start to wonder.  Every comedy seems to be using the same template. I saw it in Bridesmaids.  I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | 4 Comments

10 Questions for Joel Ivany

Posted on November 27, 2013 by barczablog

Joel Ivany’s career seems to be taking off.  His work with Against the Grain Theatre here in Toronto is impressive enough, but in addition he directed the recent World premiere of Gavin Bryars chamber opera Marilyn Forever with the Aventa … Continue reading →

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

Centre Stage: COC Ensemble Studio Competition Gala

Posted on November 27, 2013 by barczablog

Two years ago the Canadian Opera Company began experimenting with a public singing competition as the final part of the selection process for membership in the Ensemble Studio.  In 2011 & 2012 the contests were held in the Richard Bradshaw … Continue reading →

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

Guggenheim’s Great Upheaval at the AGO

Posted on November 26, 2013 by barczablog

There’s a moment in Terry Gilliam’s Adventures of Baron Munchausen when Vulcan is pressing carbon into a diamond for his wife Venus, and of course she expresses her gratitude, a moment before handing the thing to a lady in waiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments