Author Archives: barczablog

Six Hundred Year Anniversaries

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. Six Hundred Year Anniversaries Saturday April 6, 2013 at 8PM at Gallery 345 For Immediate Release – Toronto, March 11, 2013: 1912 and 1913 were auspicious years in the history of … Continue reading →

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Stuart Hamilton: Opening Windows

I don’t believe there’s anyone who was involved in more aspects of Canadian operatic performance than Stuart Hamilton.  I say “was” because many of those are in the past now, but even so, let’s make a list. Hamilton founded Opera … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

10 Questions for Ambur Braid

Ambur Braid may have a catchy name, but the reason you remember it is because of what she does with her opportunities. The voice gets mentioned almost in passing (a secure dramatic coloratura that allows her to undertake challenging roles … Continue reading →

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Soup Can Theatre: Barber’s A Hand of Bridge, Sartre’s No Exit

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. SOUP CAN THEATRE Presents Samuel Barber’s A Hand of Bridge (Libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti) & Jean Paul Sartre’s NO EXIT (Translation by Stuart Gilbert) A Special Double Bill Presentation! March … Continue reading →

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Time and Tide

Talisker Players offer the latest in a series  of investigations of the meaning of life.  What is it about this time of year?  I pondered it a bit the other day, musing on February-phobia.  In this country we’re driven in … Continue reading →

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Erlösung dem Erlöser

There have been many reviews published already, some in exquisite detail, so I assume that if you want to know about the new Metropolitan Opera Parsifal, the François Girard co-production with Opera Lyon (2012) & the Canadian Opera Company (TBA), … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | 4 Comments

Lost in the East

We always know our spatio-temporal co-ordinates with the help of satellite surveillance and assorted electronic devices.  When was the last time you were lost? Those of us with regular jobs go back and forth along the same streets.  From time … Continue reading →

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Fabulous February (?)

Hm, the headline may strike some of you as an oxymoron. CAN a February be fabulous? Yet mine was, without a doubt. This was my best February ever.  I want to share the wealth as we slip into March, knowing … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Carla Huhtanen

Soprano Carla Huhtanen is in demand internationally for her soaring, translucent voice, her winning stage presence, and her diverse repertoire, gracing stages throughout Europe and across North America, a strong interpreter of traditional repertoire, unafraid of new composition. A regular … Continue reading →

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Metropolitan Opera 2013-2014

Depending on your taste, there are good and bad things in Peter Gelb’s announcement of the 2013-2014 season at the Metropolitan Opera. I am most excited by an item that seems to currently be under the radar.  Dmitri Tcherniakov will … Continue reading →

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