Author Archives: barczablog

Barbecue genius @ The Kingston Social

Posted on July 18, 2020 by barczablog

I’m a bit looped, after eating an amazing meal. It’s from The Kingston Social, a place here in the east end of Toronto. One gets the menu a few days in advance, then places orders.  And one then picks up … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Reviews | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Douglas Chambers: The Reinvention of the World

Posted on July 18, 2020 by barczablog

I have been stuck on this one for awhile, not knowing quite what to write. I’m trying to avoid being a downer, but it’s hard to see the silver lining when you’re deep in the dark clouds of a pandemic. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

Ennio Morricone has passed

Posted on July 7, 2020 by barczablog

This is almost an insult, to post this short little thing in response to the passing of Ennio Morricone. I’m merely doing this to call attention to his range, to his influence, and yes, because it’s fun posting something moving … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pete Davidson – The King of Staten Island

Posted on July 4, 2020 by barczablog

You might know Pete Davidson a couple of ways. He’s a regular on Saturday Night Live. He could be the avatar of sensational relationship failure, famously dumped by Ariana Grande, among others. Pardon me, I have no idea what he’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Stewart Goodyear – Beethoven piano concerti

Posted on June 27, 2020 by barczablog

It’s 2020, a year I’m tempted to call “World, Interrupted,” recalling the 1999 film set in a psychiatric hospital. At times our virtual online lives resemble the simulation of real living as though we’ve been wrapped in strait-jackets, locked up … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

First recording of Scarlatti’s first opera

Posted on June 21, 2020 by barczablog

You may know the name “Scarlatti”. Domenico Scarlatti (1685–1757), wrote those fascinating sonatas for keyboard, but he’s not the only Scarlatti by any means. He had an older brother Pietro Scarlatti (1679-1750) who had some success as a composer. Domenico’s father … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Knave in the House of Cards

Posted on June 20, 2020 by barczablog

A meditation on dayjobs A long time ago I was an undergraduate, a university student fresh out of high school. At the time a summer job was indispensable to help me afford my life between September & May, living in … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

Disturbance in the Force: a Natural Experiment with Audiences

Posted on June 13, 2020 by barczablog

With all the performers, musicians, artists social distancing at home, you might think that this is an opportunity, that they’d be busy singing, strumming, painting…. All that time to create, right? Yet it’s not what I hear on social media. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COC General Director Responds

Posted on June 13, 2020 by barczablog

COC GENERAL DIRECTOR RESPONDS TO MEDIA REPORTS OF AN EARLY DEPARTURE FOR PARIS Toronto – In response to recent media speculation out of France that COC General Director Alexander Neef plans on exiting his role with the Canadian Opera Company … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Whither Canadian Opera Company: after Neef

Posted on June 11, 2020 by barczablog

Did you know? The first ever Monty Python episode was titled Whither Canada. I suspect it’s a title meant to invoke the sort of bland but innocent British documentary we see here in Canada as “Hinterland Who’s Who” or “Heritage … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Sports | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments