Author Archives: barczablog

Coen Oddball

Posted on August 11, 2012 by barczablog

The phrase “Coen Oddball” may seem redundant or non-specific, when that bizarre heading matches so many of the Coen Brothers’ films. Raising Arizona?  oddball comedy Fargo? oddball thriller with pregnant cop stalking killer on frozen lake Oh Brother Where art … Continue reading →

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Above the clouds

Posted on August 10, 2012 by barczablog

Last weekend John Terauds used the occasion of the Simcoe Day holiday to celebrate the quintessential Torontonian composer, Godfrey Ridout. It reminds me of a time long ago, when I took a course taught by two giants at the Faculty … Continue reading →

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Contracts renewed

Posted on August 7, 2012 by barczablog

My Canadian Opera Company ticket subscription arrived in the mail today.  I was never in doubt about renewing the tickets, still starry eyed by the new building and the overall quality of what we’ve been getting. Even so—I tell myself—it’s … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Sam Stedman

Posted on August 5, 2012 by barczablog

Sam Stedman is a part-time university professor, with a PhD in ethics and theatre from the University of Toronto, and a mission to make his family more eco-friendly, step by step, piece by piece. After 10 years of post-secondary teaching, … Continue reading →

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Elwy’s impact

Posted on August 5, 2012 by barczablog

In August filmgoers’ thoughts turn to TIFF: the Toronto International Film Festival.  Founded in 1976, TIFF isn’t just a local event anymore, having become one of the most important festivals in the world, if not the single biggest showcase for … Continue reading →

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In common

Posted on August 3, 2012 by barczablog

Once every decade Sight and Sound magazine polls experts on film to determine which films are understood to be the best.  In 1962 they chose Citizen Kane best film, and every ten years since that time, they have returned Kane … Continue reading →

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Carsen’s Tosca

Posted on July 31, 2012 by barczablog

Toronto is belatedly getting to know one of its own.  Opera Director Robert Carsen, who’s made a name for himself worldwide has only recently directed productions in Toronto. And how romantic is it that—as if to make up for lost … Continue reading →

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News of War

Posted on July 31, 2012 by barczablog

Some dates are more important than others in the timeline of a war.  In the War of 1812,  July 30th, 1812 is a relatively trivial date: 200 years ago today. The war had been declared on June 18th. The first … Continue reading →

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Genius Within

Posted on July 27, 2012 by barczablog

After spending so much of the past few weeks thinking about virtuosity –both in my academic research and in the music I have been listening to—I was more than ready to see a documentary studying the quintessential Canadian musician, Glenn … Continue reading →

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Faster, Higher, Stronger

Posted on July 26, 2012 by barczablog

Is it a competition?  To some extent. Both Richard Wagner & Claude Debussy used the metaphor of the circus acrobat to describe the virtuoso dynamic with an appreciative audience.  Whether we’re speaking of singers or instrumentalists, there is an implicit … Continue reading →

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