Author Archives: barczablog

Rigoletto, second cast

Posted on October 18, 2011 by barczablog

I had another look/listen to the Canadian Opera Company’s Rigoletto Oct 17th in a performance that was substantially different from the cast that opened earlier this autumn: a different tenor a different soprano a different baritone a different conductor Christopher … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Robert Pomakov

Posted on October 15, 2011 by barczablog

Robert Pomakov is singing the role of Monterone in the Canadian Opera Company’s new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto.  I ask him ten questions: five about himself and five about the role. 1) Which of your parents do you resemble … Continue reading →

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Inside Job

Posted on October 11, 2011 by barczablog

I may sound a bit like Noam Chomsky with this one. Here it is in the simplest terms from Democrat Alan Grayson. WHY is this not being reported in the media?  i suppose the same reasons Grayson speaks of, such … Continue reading →

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Another Africa

Posted on October 4, 2011 by barczablog

The new Canadian Stage season begins with Another Africa, a program of two contrasting plays presented by Volcano Theatre that were part of The Africa Trilogy at Luminato Festival in 2010.  This is the first time I’ve seen them. While … Continue reading →

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A Man’s World

Posted on September 30, 2011 by barczablog

I saw the new Canadian Opera Company production of Rigoletto directed by Christopher Alden tonight.  It makes a nice companion to the Robert Carsen Iphigenia in Tauris that premiered last week to such acclaim.  Both productions are like close analyses … Continue reading →

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Reinhardt’s first and last film

Posted on September 25, 2011 by barczablog

The 1935 Warner Brothers A Midsummernight’s Dream (AMSD) directed by Max Reinhardt, is one of my favourite films.  This week I will once again get the pleasure of including it in my film music course. If wishes were horses beggars … Continue reading →

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Carsen’s Iphigenia

Posted on September 23, 2011 by barczablog

Robert Carsen has once again held up a mirror to an opera by Gluck with the help of the Canadian Opera Company.  Last season it was an award winning production of Orfeo ed Euridice.  Tonight I saw Iphigenie en Tauride, … Continue reading →

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Glass’ Film Music

Posted on September 18, 2011 by barczablog

I heard  “The Film Music of Philip Glass,“  a concert last night by the  Manitoba Chamber Orchestra at the intimate Glenn Gould Studio conducted by Anne Manson with Michael Riesman, piano soloist.  The concert was recorded for a CD that … Continue reading →

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This is how the world ends

Posted on September 16, 2011 by barczablog

I saw The Turin Horse directed by Béla Tarr at the Toronto International Film Festival. Tarr says it’s his last film.  This is no warm farewell like Fanny & Alexander(Ingmar Bergman’s last film) or The Tempest (Shakespeare’s last play).  It’s … Continue reading →

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Louÿs the poet

Posted on September 10, 2011 by barczablog

I am following up yesterday’s post on Aphrodite and Mary Garden because of something I found via Google books.  I made an assertion yesterday off the top of my head; upon further reflection i realized i had no idea, but … Continue reading →

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