Author Archives: barczablog

Questions for Mladen Obradovic: The Woods are Dark and Deep

Posted on March 7, 2019 by barczablog

A few years ago I saw a Feydeau farce starring Mladen Obradovic. He was a startlingly good actor, playing two distinctly different roles, a bit of a tour de force really, and totally unforgettable. So this week I see that … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Musique 3 Femmes: The Next Wave Workshop

Posted on March 7, 2019 by barczablog

Musique 3 Femmes with Tapestry Opera Announces The Next Wave Workshop Presentation of operas by winners of inaugural $25,000 Mécénat Musica Prix 3 Femmes, new prize supporting creation of operas by emerging female and female-identifying composers and librettists in Canada … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | 2 Comments

Unsafe at Berkeley Street Theatre

Posted on March 6, 2019 by barczablog

A world premiere event by a Canadian cultural icon. UNSAFE AN INVESTIGATION IN THE CENSORSHIP OF ART AND THE ART OF CENSORSHIP IN CANADA Written + Created by SOOK-YIN LEE Directed by Sarah Garton Stanley Performed by Sook-Yin Lee + … Continue reading →

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The Woods are Dark and Deep: internment story

Posted on March 4, 2019 by barczablog

The Woods are Dark and Deep is a new, original historical drama by Mladen Obradović, a Toronto-based theatre creator. It is based on a little known historical fact that during World War I, immigrants who were living in Canada, but … Continue reading →

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Perchance to Dream

Posted on March 4, 2019 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Perchance to Dream in its Canadian Premiere with Toronto Operetta Theatre.  Ivor Novello’s musical romance was a great success upon its first appearance in London in 1945, although tastes have changed. I was reminded of Salieri in … Continue reading →

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Grainger’s rambling approach to popularity

Posted on March 3, 2019 by barczablog

There was a thread on social media not so long ago about music that gives you the shivers. It seemed like a fun topic, when I was walking along in nasty cold weather, to be able to shiver from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gosford Park, Ivor Novello: Perchance to Dream

Posted on February 28, 2019 by barczablog

When I heard that Toronto Operetta Theatre will be staging Perchance to Dream, an Ivor Novello operetta, I was reminded of Robert Altman’s film Gosford Park.  I dug up the film again last night, delighting in its subtle intimations and … Continue reading →

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Questions for Stacie Dunlop – Lonely Child Project

Posted on February 26, 2019 by barczablog

Stacie Dunlop is a rare artist, a soprano who commissions original new music, some of the most original projects I’ve ever seen. You can read her bio. Three years ago I saw a workshop of The Harvester More recently came … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egoyan- Lite

Posted on February 24, 2019 by barczablog

I had another look at the Canadian Opera Company’s Cosi fan tutte tonight, a production that I enjoyed even more this time in its closing performance. Last time I was content to have so much fun & so many laughs, … Continue reading →

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Look at The Angel Speaks

Posted on February 22, 2019 by barczablog

I’m sharing some lovely photos by Bruce Zinger of last night’s North American premiere of  The Angel Speaks at the ROM, featuring Opera Atelier and select artists of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Is Opera Atelier perhaps pushing the envelope of what … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment