Author Archives: barczablog

Questions for Cecilia Livingston: Balancing the Score

Posted on March 7, 2019 by barczablog

A little over five years ago, I interviewed composer Cecilia Livingston in anticipation of her new opera commission The Masque of the Red Death, an occasion for some marvelous comments about composing & opera (see what I mean? ). I’m not … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment