Author Archives: barczablog

10 Questions for Leslie Ann Bradley

Posted on January 8, 2014 by barczablog

Canadian “Soprano Leslie Ann Bradley brings the stage to life whenever she sets foot into the spotlight” (Toronto Star).  Praised as a “vocal and dramatic powerhouse”, her 2013/14 season is filled with debuts and return engagements.  Her winter/spring is infused … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Shared Dreams of Freedom

Posted on January 8, 2014 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. Shared Dreams of Freedom The Romanian General Consulate & One Room Theatre invite you to a literary evening and a reception, which will bring together Romanian-Canadian and African-Canadian poets, celebrating Romania’s … Continue reading →

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Ongoing Upheaval

Posted on January 6, 2014 by barczablog

I had the most curious experience during my second look at The Great Upheaval, the imported show from Guggenheim’s Collection at the AGO. The first time through I more or less bought into the official story of this show, an … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Books & Literature | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

(Q + A) x 300: questions and conversations

Posted on January 1, 2014 by barczablog

This is the moment when bloggers look at their annual stats, notice trends, and perhaps say thank you to the community that supports them. According to my stats I posted 232 different items over 365 days. This is a moment … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Opera | Leave a comment

10 questions for Stephen Lord

Posted on December 31, 2013 by barczablog

Identified by Opera News as one of the “25 Most Powerful Names in US Opera”, Stephen Lord is a conductor known for his sensitive handling of singers.  In my review of April’s Canadian Opera Company production of Lucia di Lammermoor … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

TOT Land of Smiles

Posted on December 28, 2013 by barczablog

Every work is really several possibilities, depending on the emphases in the interpretation.  There are several operas inside each opera, several musicals inside each musical.  And this is particularly so when we speak of operetta, a form that can seem … Continue reading →

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Pollyanna’s Picks for 2013

Posted on December 26, 2013 by barczablog

Last year around this time you might have seen “Pollyanna’s Picks for 2012”, a list looking “through the rose-coloured glasses of someone who prefers to avoid negativity.”  Had I not been knocked back to the Stone Age by a power … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 7 Comments

Born on December 22nd

Posted on December 21, 2013 by barczablog

If you’re a child born on December 22nd you might grow up perpetually frustrated because of the proximity of your birthday to Christmas.  There you are, early in the sign of Capricorn, and everybody’s celebrating someone else’s birth instead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Crowdfunding Glennie-WSO-Ho

Posted on December 20, 2013 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. Dame Evelyn Glennie, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra & Composer Vincent Ho Launch Indiegogo Campaign For New Recording First recording with a major Canadian orchestra & first foray into crowdfunding for Glennie For … Continue reading →

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My Person of the Year

Posted on December 17, 2013 by barczablog

I added “my” to the headline because otherwise a reader would assume I’m referencing the annual feature in Time Magazine. Given the usual content in this space you might expect me to pick a composer or a performer.  Pollyanna will … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments