Author Archives: barczablog

The Adaptation of Prince Hamlet

Posted on February 9, 2019 by barczablog

Do you ever need a tragedy? Sometimes I think we can be so burdened by the troubles of our own lives and the stories we hear from others, that we hunger for catharsis. I can’t be objective about the show … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The case for a Canadian Opera Company

Posted on February 7, 2019 by barczablog

Monday night the Canadian Opera Company held their “Season Reveal,” a dramatic presentation whereby subscribers & guests were treated to a combination of announcements, musical performances & CGI to tell us the six operas coming in the 2019-2020 season. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | 19 Comments

Fierabras in concert

Posted on February 4, 2019 by barczablog

Voicebox /Opera in Concert offered a highlight in a splendid week of music theatre in Toronto, reminding us of why they are such a crucial part of the mix in this city with their concert performance of Schubert’s Fierabras today.  Hook … Continue reading →

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TSO: Sir Andrew Davis Conducts Wagner

Posted on February 1, 2019 by barczablog

If you’re a fan of the music of Richard Wagner chances are you’re fully aware that the Toronto Symphony are showcasing some of his best known music this week, in a concert tonight that repeats Saturday Feb 2nd. After three … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Opera Atelier Announces 2019/20 Season

Posted on January 31, 2019 by barczablog

Opera Atelier Announces 2019/20 Season of Sinners and Saints Company Unveils 34th Season Featuring Daring Juxtaposition of Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Handel’s The Resurrection Toronto, ON — Opera Atelier is thrilled to announce a dramatic 2019/20 season with two wildly varying … Continue reading →

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Hook Up

Posted on January 31, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight I saw and heard the world premiere of Hook Up, a partnership of Tapestry Opera with Theatre Passe Muraille. It’s a very accomplished musical, a story about relationships, sex and self-discovery. For the occasion of the premiere maybe we weren’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews, University life | 2 Comments

Elektra-fying

Posted on January 27, 2019 by barczablog

There’s a moment in Richard Strauss’s adaptation of Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s libretto for Elektra that tells you everything you need to know.  This is the same family constellation we know from the aftermath of the Trojan War. Agamemmnon is dead, … Continue reading →

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“From Treblinka to Auschwitz” | Vasily Grossman and Primo Levi

Posted on January 24, 2019 by barczablog

North American Premiere of From Treblinka to Auschwitz Vasily Grossman and Primo Levi: a dialogue between witnesses A theatrical reading with live music for Holocaust Remembrance Day With Michael Miranda and Martin Julien, actors Robbie Grunwald, piano | Drew Jurecka, … Continue reading →

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The Harlequin Salon

Posted on January 19, 2019 by barczablog

In a week juxtaposing new (21C festival) and old (the Toronto Symphony playing Mozart with Pinchas Zukerman), I came finally to see The Harlequin Salon by Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, including a great deal of theatricality to complement their music. While … Continue reading →

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Julie Tepperman & Chris Thornborrow: Hook Up

Posted on January 18, 2019 by barczablog

How do people meet, and what’s involved in making connections? I keep asking this question about the arts because in case you haven’t noticed, you can’t do it alone. Yes there are people like Beethoven who work in solitude, people … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, University life | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment