Author Archives: barczablog

$5.99 or $4000.00?

Posted on December 9, 2012 by barczablog

Psycho-therapists in films can be very funny, very painful, and yes, painfully funny.   Sometimes what we’re given is patently false & artificial, but occasionally we see something with more than a grain of truth. Hollywood knows psychiatry the way it … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Psychology and perception, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

10 Questions for Daniel Taylor

Posted on December 8, 2012 by barczablog

Daniel Taylor is a countertenor with a unique voice, arguably Canada’s finest, with more than 100 recordings on Sony, DG Archiv, Decca, Harmonia Mundi, BIS, Analekta, Teldec, Erato and Universal. Taylor has performed with the Metropolitan Opera, Glyndebourne, Rome Opera, … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, University life | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Press Release: Christmas concert – St. James Cathedral

Posted on December 6, 2012 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. Unique Christmas concert experience at St. James Cathedral TORONTO, December 4, 2012 – St. James Cathedral in Toronto is offering an upscale interpretation of Handel’s popular Messiah and Vivaldi’s Gloria on … Continue reading →

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Opera Eats

Posted on December 5, 2012 by barczablog

There are more talented artists graduating from the programs training them than there are possible jobs.  It’s one reason we have Fringe Festivals: because we’ve trained so many good young actors, directors & playwrights, that they can create their own … Continue reading →

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Pina Bausch: Orpheus und Eurydike

Posted on December 3, 2012 by barczablog

I saw Pina Bausch’s Orpheus und Eurydike on TFO tonight, a dance piece based on the Gluck opera, in a respectful production of a work originally created in the mid-1970s, conducted by Thomas Hengelbrock.  This live production dates from 2008, … Continue reading →

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Music Lovers

Posted on December 2, 2012 by barczablog

Ken Russell died almost exactly a year ago this weekend.  It’s reported online November 28th and 29th 2011 (although I don’t know exactly which day he passed away). I’m watching The Music Lovers, wondering if the film’s critical reception at … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The prettiest love duet

Posted on November 30, 2012 by barczablog

During the COC Ensemble Studio competition, I discovered that someone else –John Gilks of operaramblings and I share similar views about a particular piece of music. Saturday the Met High Definition broadcast will be Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

COC Ensemble Studio Competition

Posted on November 30, 2012 by barczablog

As I drove downtown this morning, one track seemed very apt for an evening featuring the Canadian Opera Company’s second annual studio competition. Michael Slattery’s CD of Dowland songs –reimagined to explore his alleged Irish connection—concludes with a melancholy song … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Keszei’s religious art

Posted on November 29, 2012 by barczablog

I know Attila Keszei as an artist working in several media, on a few recurring subjects. Sustainability has been a key preoccupation for him, both in his professional life at the University of Toronto, and in his art.  Images exploring … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, University life | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Canadian Stage 2013-2014 season

Posted on November 29, 2012 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment. Tuesday, November 27, 2012 Canadian Stage announces  groundbreaking 2013.2014 season Featuring work by Robert Lepage, new productions of a 5-star hit from London and award-winning plays from Broadway, and productions helmed by four … Continue reading →

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