Author Archives: barczablog

TSO String showcase and what’s to come

Posted on November 18, 2021 by barczablog

In this the second week of Gustavo Gimeno’s tenure as music director of the Toronto Symphony, we’re already seeing some exciting programming choices. Someone thought to limit the number of players onstage to around 50 as a safety measure, affording … Continue reading →

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Oakville Chamber Orchestra: A Baroque Festival

Posted on November 15, 2021 by barczablog

It’s so exciting to enjoy live music again. Last week I saw the Toronto Symphony. This afternoon I went with friends to see & hear the Oakville Chamber Orchestra in a baroque program featuring Vivaldi, Lully, JS Bach and Domenico … Continue reading →

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MixTape

Posted on November 13, 2021 by barczablog

I was among the ecstatic audience for the opening of Zorana Sadiq’s MixTape tonight at Crow’s Guloien Theatre. Yes we’re thrilled to be back in a theatre, delighted to be looking at one another, guessing identities behind the masks. Was … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

TSO and Gimeno return

Posted on November 11, 2021 by barczablog

This Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert was a happening. They’re back! The audience clapped when the players appeared. And we clapped when Gustavo Gimeno came out for his first appearance as our New Music Director. The occasion was special for several … Continue reading →

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Meghan Lindsay and Carson Becke in Recital

Posted on November 7, 2021 by barczablog

I was invited to an intimate performance by Soprano Meghan Lindsay and pianist Carson Becke at the Heliconian Club on Hazelton Ave last night. I’m a lucky guy. I think I’ve explained before that this is my mantra, a self-fulfilling … Continue reading →

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Cheryl is back with a new team

Posted on November 5, 2021 by barczablog

I had my first salon hair-cut in over a year. While the pandemic helped some billionaires increase their billions, as some businesses increased profits—so long as they were able to use the word “essential” to describe their work—many others have … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Art, Architecture & Design, Personal ruminations & essays, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Quality of Life and Playing God

Posted on November 3, 2021 by barczablog

Pet-owners often make profound decisions about their dog or cat, given that the law treats animals as property, ours to dispose of as we wish. I shudder when I think about it, ashamed of the time 32 years ago when … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Odin Quartet’s Journey Through Night CD launch Nov 6th

Posted on November 2, 2021 by barczablog

Does music tell stories? I’ve been listening to the CD “Journey Through Night” by Odin Quartet. Here’s how they describe themselves on one of the sites I found extolling their virtues: Passionate about chamber music, the Toronto-based Odin Quartet represents … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Not Too Bold: COC Schicchi

Posted on November 1, 2021 by barczablog

The headline is the inevitable result of a weekend watching and comparing two different virtual offerings from two opera companies, one much bolder than the other. Yesterday’s Opera Atelier headline aims to praise what’s praiseworthy, so I used the word … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bold Angel from Opera Atelier

Posted on October 31, 2021 by barczablog

Opera Atelier’s new film of Angel –fully-staged and filmed at St. Lawrence Hall—will be streaming until Friday, November 12. Angel is a bold experiment. I’m not sure how to describe the work, an interesting mixture of styles and idioms that … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment