Author Archives: barczablog

Fleeting fame

Posted on September 9, 2011 by barczablog

I held a piece of history in my hands. And then after keeping it a few days overdue, I returned it to the library. I am speaking of a score for an opera signed by its composer.  The opera?  Aphrodite, … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The roots of sustainability

Posted on September 2, 2011 by barczablog

This is a continuation of my previous post, inspired by Hurricane Irene and Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony.  I’d lamented the loss of innocence that’s implied by the notion of global warming: that we can’t very well think of Nature as our … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A dark and stormy night

Posted on August 28, 2011 by barczablog

Every now and then I notice that a beloved piece of music has fallen out of my personal  top ten.  It may be because I’ve listened too often, or because some other piece has grabbed my affections.  But something very … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Mostly Frenchmen

Posted on August 24, 2011 by barczablog

I am so lucky that I made it to Lincoln Center in New York City this week for the big summer music festival, when Mostly Mozart Festival is admittedly mostly over. This is a festival probing interesting connections and juxtapositions … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

10 Questions for Simone Osborne

Posted on August 20, 2011 by barczablog

Simone Osborne  will be taking the lead role of Gilda in the Canadian Opera Company’s new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto in September 2011.  I ask her ten questions: five about her and five about her upcoming role. 1) Which … Continue reading →

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

Hurry September

Posted on August 10, 2011 by barczablog

In the middle of a driving rainstorm, my doorbell rang this morning.  The mailman, bless his heart, was dropping off a bundle just as the heavens opened to drench the guy,  and my mail. Among the wet items was –oh … Continue reading →

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

Out At Sea

Posted on August 6, 2011 by barczablog

Out at Sea, Slawomir Mrożek’s absurd fable was just what the doctor ordered. For the past few months I’ve overdosed on politics: I learned a new verb: “kettling” Conservatives won election after election, with a tory trifecta lurking in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The comedy of competence: several species of drag

Posted on July 29, 2011 by barczablog

Amy Winehouse reminds me of Judy Garland.  They both had big powerful voices, larger than life really.  They were both known for excessive use of make-up and drugs.  Given that Garland and her daughter Liza Minelli have a huge following … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Marat/Sade

Posted on July 20, 2011 by barczablog

Last night I watched the opening of Soup Can Theatre’s new production of Peter Weiss’ Marat/Sade, or to use its full title The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Il Trovatore

Posted on July 10, 2011 by barczablog

Verisimilitude may be a tad over-rated.  Tonight I witnessed a concert performance of Verdi’s Il Trovatore by Toronto’s Opera By Request.  It’s habitual to apologize for what’s missing in these virtual renditions, that have music stands instead of sets, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment