Author Archives: barczablog

COC Medea explores truth

Yesterday I attended the Canadian Opera Company’s Sunday matinee of Luigi Cherubini’s Medea. The main character may tell a lot of lies but that didn’t stop the audience from cheering her on in one of the darkest operas imaginable, a … Continue reading

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Nightwood Theatre presents the15th Annual Lawyer’s Show June 13-15: The Sound of Music

Nightwood Theatre presents the 15th annual Lawyer Show The Sound of MusicMusic by Richard RodgersLyrics by Oscar Hammerstein IIBook by Howard Lindsay & Russel CrouseSuggested by The Trapp Family Singers by Maria Augusta Trappat the Jane Mallett Theatre, St. Lawrence … Continue reading

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Prelude to Hope

They began with this artistic manifesto: As a collective of artists working within a creative circle associated with the Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra, we have asked ourselves how artists can and should respond to the times we live in. Our answer … Continue reading

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Spaceman is lightyears away from Operaman

After a friend described Spaceman as Adam Sandler’s best film I had to have a look, especially given that nobody I know takes Sandler seriously, and quite a few grimace at the mention of his name. I recently quoted CS … Continue reading

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Seraphia closing April 27th

I got some bad news today, when Peter at Seraphia informed me that he will have his last day Saturday April 27th. I can’t properly capture what his Scarborough gourmet shop has meant to me and my family. I’ve been … Continue reading

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

My Little Brony: The Musical

It’s the morning after seeing My Little Brony: The Musical. The music was great, and we laughed a lot. It’s a delightfully enjoyable play. I went into it thinking about reviews and critics, wondering how I would approach a new … Continue reading

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Gimeno and Moussa: Ligeti, Wagner and Strauss’s Don Quixote

Last night’s brilliant concert at Roy Thomson Hall from the Toronto Symphony was improved by the introductory remarks from Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, explaining his unorthodox choices. The concert may have been titled “R Strauss’s Don Quixote” but Gimeno explained … Continue reading

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Violinissimo II calibrating Esprit at Koerner

Thursday March 28th Esprit Orchestra led by their artistic director and conductor Alex Pauk presented Violinissimo II at Koerner Hall. The program leant heavily on soloist Mark Fewer in a pair of big works, playing solos for over an hour … Continue reading

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Korngold’s other film-score

On April 7th the ARC Ensemble present a concert “The Viennese in Los Angeles”, a happier title than what they might choose to call it, from composers in exile.  In the promotion for the event we’re told that for the … Continue reading

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Jerskin Fendrix scores Poor Things

Every year in the aftermath of the Academy Awards I’m left wondering how they do it. Yes I should be in awe of the creations: but I was speaking of the awards process. Why this film and not that one? and … Continue reading

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