Author Archives: barczablog

New beginnings in snakeskin

Posted on July 27, 2019 by barczablog

It has been a week of new beginnings. Today was Benjamin Kidd’s ordination. As of Saturday July 27th he is no longer a student. I wonder if we’re now supposed to call him “Reverend Ben”? Perhaps that comes out as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | Leave a comment

Voices Across the Atlantic

Posted on July 19, 2019 by barczablog

The title “Voices Across the Atlantic” could refer to compositional voices or singing voices. You had Barber & Willan from our side of the pond, Brahms, Britten & Monteverdi from the other. Ditto for the performing talent, coming from many … Continue reading →

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

New Orford celebrate their first decade

Posted on July 13, 2019 by barczablog

Two for two. It’s the second night of the 2019 Toronto Summer Music Festival and again it felt like a special event, this time in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the New Orford String quartet.  There’s a natural connection … Continue reading →

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Beyond Borders with Toronto Summer Music

Posted on July 12, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight was the opening concert of Toronto Summer Music, running until August 3rd at multiple venues in Toronto. In this the third year of Jonathan Crow’s tenure as Artistic Director the talent pool seems a bit deeper, suggesting exciting days … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Remembering Larry Earlix

Posted on July 11, 2019 by barczablog

It’s a day for sentimentality.  My mom’s had her birthday, which is of course a wonderful occasion: but I won’t talk about that here as it’s a bit too private for the blog. Yes Virginia there are things I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Operatic thought for Canada Day

Posted on June 29, 2019 by barczablog

Is it true that Alexander Neef, General Director of the Canadian Opera Company is headed back to Paris? Today I read Michael Vincent’s news report  via Ludwig-van.com that was a natural segue from the conversation I had with my companion … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TSO & Gimeno: a question of leadership

Posted on June 29, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight was the first concert in the Toronto Symphony’s last weekend of the season, giving us a glimpse of their new music director Gustavo Gimeno. Will he come to be known as GG? While last week’s concert with Donald Runnicles … Continue reading →

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

Questions for Dahlia Katz

Posted on June 22, 2019 by barczablog

Dahlia Katz is the Artistic Director of Solar Stage, a director/dramaturg with a lifetime interest in puppets, and a photographer. If I exclude those who get written up in reviews (the actors-musicians-directors etc) Dahlia Katz may have appeared in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, University life | Leave a comment

Pathways to the past with TSO Carmina Burana

Posted on June 20, 2019 by barczablog

Some concerts are put together so well that you can’t help admiring the clever curator, combining compositions. Ai caramba I didn’t mean to be so alliterative. But even so they made magic at Roy Thomson Hall tonight in a Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Popular music & culture, Reviews, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Making a FUSS

Posted on June 15, 2019 by barczablog

Last night there was a big fuss downtown about a big sporting event. Traffic may have been slow but there was jubilation in the air. And although the game and championship were milestones for Toronto, yet that’s not the FUSS … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Press Releases and Announcements | 4 Comments