Author Archives: barczablog

No Forbidden Questions as Aaron & Michael talk about Verbotenlieder

Posted on December 6, 2018 by barczablog

Aaron Durand + Michael Nyby = Tongue in Cheek Productions. No that’s not a formula but come to think of it there is a curious creative chemistry, a tendency to energize. I find it exciting to talk to them, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who do you love?

Posted on December 1, 2018 by barczablog

When the phrase popped into my head (spoken), I was thinking of Tchaikovsky. But immediately I heard Ronnie Hawkins’ song in my head. When I heard this near the start of The Last Waltz, and come to think of it, closer … Continue reading →

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

Opera 5 –Open Chambers

Posted on December 1, 2018 by barczablog

Walter Pater famously said “all art constantly aspires to the condition of music”.  But did anyone bother to ask “what then does music aspire to”?  Does music seek to be something more, or should it perhaps be content to be … Continue reading →

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No stranger

Posted on November 29, 2018 by barczablog

Two photographs by Bruce Zinger from the “Opera Atelier Takes Canada to the World” campaign show Artists of Atelier Ballet and OA dancer Tyler Gledhill as their “Canadian Icon in Red”. Between the glimpses of Chicago or Versailles which is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Questions for Thomas Gough: Ebenezer Scrooge

Posted on November 23, 2018 by barczablog

If you go to the theatre in Toronto it’s quite possible you’ve seen Thomas Gough. He has an avuncular presence, perhaps a result of years as a teacher, and so he’s perfect for roles such as Brabantio in Othello or … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

BOUND v. 2: power struggles

Posted on November 20, 2018 by barczablog

Against the Grain Theatre premiered version two of BOUND at The Great Hall on Queen St W or as Joel Ivany called it “an ongoing process”.  I didn’t see version 1, and perhaps this summer or next year there will … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Space Opera Zero

Posted on November 17, 2018 by barczablog

When I write about the shows I see I’m sometimes overwhelmed by envy, wishing it were me who’s up there singing or playing. We’re never more alive than when we’re dying onstage. And so I’ll often toss off these spontaneous … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Vitals

Posted on November 16, 2018 by barczablog

Whenever I see a new theatre piece, whether spoken or musical, I’m juggling a few balls, responding to the work that was composed / written the interpretation / direction of that piece the performances / acting in the piece Whatever … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Psychology and perception, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Attila Keszei in 2018

Posted on November 13, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve written about Attila Keszei a few times including an interview back in 2015. I met him at the University of Toronto, a kindred spirit because We’re both Hungarian We both worked for Facilities & Services at the University of … Continue reading →

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Questions for Rose Plotek: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Posted on November 12, 2018 by barczablog

Questions about process and form can be among the most profound even if they seem to be never-ending.  I’m happily immersed in such considerations this week, having seen Humans by Circa (what is their idiom after all?) and Ken Gass’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged | Leave a comment