Author Archives: barczablog

VICE and the Doctrine of Presidential Infallibility

Posted on June 13, 2023 by barczablog

The headline is designed to catch your attention. When I googled “presidential infallibility” most hits refer to the Pope, whose infallibility is a doctrine we’ve heard about for a long time. The idea of infallibility associated with the POTUS is … Continue reading →

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PERCEPTUAL ARCHAEOLOGY (or How To Travel Blind)

Posted on June 11, 2023 by barczablog

Don’t let the big words in the title fool you. “Perceptual Archaeology”? I’m closer to knowing what that might mean after seeing Alex Bulmer’s new show at Crow’s Theatre, a co-production with Fire and Rescue Team that helps you to … Continue reading →

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Gimeno and TSO: old music made new

Posted on June 9, 2023 by barczablog

I will quietly keep calling Gustavo Gimeno the Toronto Symphony’s “new” music director in my head, but maybe not for the reason you think. Yes he started in 2021, delayed over a year by the pandemic’s impacts on performing arts. … Continue reading →

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Inge(new): in search of a musical criticism

Posted on June 1, 2023 by barczablog

Last night I saw Inge(new): In Search of a Musical from Theatre Myth Collective, a piece by Evan Tsitsias that challenges its audience from the beginning, reminding me at times of an intelligence test. I don’t mean like an IQ … Continue reading →

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Tosca on my mind

Posted on May 29, 2023 by barczablog

Tosca is on my mind after the final performance yesterday. Several of Puccini’s melodies are having their way with me, stuck in my head. I’m not complaining. But I can’t stop thinking about the opera and the Canadian Opera Company’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Apocryphonia: A Cabinet of Curiosities

Posted on May 27, 2023 by barczablog

There’s so much one can say about last night’s Apocryphonia concert “A Cabinet of Curiosities”, but I’ll try to keep it under control. I talked my head off with tenor Alexander Cappellazzo, who is the founder of Apocryphonia and the … Continue reading →

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Pete Davidson’s Bupkis

Posted on May 26, 2023 by barczablog

Pete Davidson’s new series Bupkis is in the twilight zone between reality tv and fiction.  It’s a kind of fiction made from reality…? I’m not sure, perhaps I’m giving it too much credit. It feels original. And so we watch … Continue reading →

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Baroque Music from the Greatest Movies of All Time: Polina Osetinskaya, Virtuoso Pianist

Posted on May 26, 2023 by barczablog

VIRTUOSO PIANIST POLINA OSETINSKAYA LAUNCHES HER NORTH AMERICAN TOUR WITH A SOLO RECITAL DEBUT AT KOERNER HALL, SATURDAY JUNE 3 Baroque Music from the Greatest Movies of All Time“Clear and flawless articulation at every level, and an earnest demeanour.” – … Continue reading →

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Macbeth closing performance: women have it harder

Posted on May 21, 2023 by barczablog

Three weeks ago I reviewed the powerful opening night of the new Sir David McVicar production of Verdi’s Macbeth from the Canadian Opera Company. Today I came full circle watching the last show of the run including exciting changes in … Continue reading →

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SOLO Traviata in Burlington

Posted on May 14, 2023 by barczablog

Last night was the boldest step forward yet for Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO), performing a fully staged La Traviata before a rapturous sold-out audience at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC). I’ve been observing the artistic version of the … Continue reading →

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