Author Archives: barczablog

Satyagraha and Wall Street

Posted on November 18, 2011 by barczablog

Of all the operas being presented in the Metropolitan Opera’s High Definition series of broadcasts, Philip Glass’s opera Satyagraha is the first to seem genuinely relevant. As I type this, I am listening to the latest news concerning the various … Continue reading →

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Chérubin

Posted on November 13, 2011 by barczablog

Essential Opera is a relative newcomer to the Toronto scene.  I watched their presentation of Massenet’s Chérubin tonight, a logical sequel considering that their debut earlier in 2011 (that I missed by the way) was Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro. Massenet’s … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Marcel Danesi

Posted on November 11, 2011 by barczablog

Marcel Danesi is a Professor of Anthropology who has followed his heart, from the study of Italian language & literature to the study of customs, signs & symbols (aka semiotics), and culture in its manifestations.  Danesi’s current brainchild is That’s … Continue reading →

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Lepage’s Siegfried

Posted on November 6, 2011 by barczablog

I watched the latest instalment of Robert Lepage’s Ring cycle at the Metropolitan Opera in a high definition broadcast. The celebrated machine that is the star of the production continues to amuse and delight.  In the latest episode we see … Continue reading →

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Remembering

Posted on November 3, 2011 by barczablog

As I prepare for the Remembrance Day Service in my church (this coming weekend btw) I can’t help thinking of some of the fascinating contradictions associated with the day: contradictions that are inevitable given the depth of emotion stirred by … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don Giovanni 2.0

Posted on October 30, 2011 by barczablog

Tonight I attended the opening night of Opera Atelier’s new production of Mozart’s Don Giovanni.  This is their second production of the opera in roughly a decade, one I am inclined to call Don Giovanni 2.0 because this feels like … Continue reading →

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HIP Don Giovanni

Posted on October 28, 2011 by barczablog

Facing the prospect of being saturated Saturday in the Dons Giovanni (what with a Met matinée and an opening night for Opera Atelier, offering the same opera twice in one day) I am surprising myself.  Even though I saw the … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Gerard Gauci

Posted on October 23, 2011 by barczablog

Gerard Gauci is the set designer for Opera Atelier’s new production of Don Giovanni that opens October 29th in Toronto.  I ask him ten questions: five about himself and five about his work. 1) Which of your parents do you … Continue reading →

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Another Don Giovanni

Posted on October 22, 2011 by barczablog

Opera Atelier are about to open a new production of Don Giovanni. And why not?  When last seen in these parts, The Don was ambushed by a feminist reading from the Canadian Opera Company almost exactly three years ago, a … Continue reading →

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The Tree of Life

Posted on October 19, 2011 by barczablog

At one point during class this week,we started to discuss The Tree of Life.  I asked if anyone else had seen it.  Yes, one person said, and they were not impressed. I recall last week reading a comment online from … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments