Author Archives: barczablog

Helen’s Necklace via Canadian Rep Theatre

Posted on November 11, 2018 by barczablog

I knew what I was going to see when I got to the upstairs space on Berkeley St. Oh sure, it was Canadian Rep Theatre’s staging of Carole Fréchette’s play Helen’s Necklace in John Murrell’s translation, directed by Ken Gass. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Circa Humans

Posted on November 10, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight I saw Humans by the Circa Ensemble a visiting troupe from Australia. I read the following brief preamble from Yaron Lifschitz, the Artistic Director of Circa.  While it was poignant before the show, it was positively illuminating to re-read … Continue reading →

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

Steffani: more devotion than drama

Posted on November 9, 2018 by barczablog

I am grateful for the gift of a new voice, a new composer introduced to me by Tafelmusik, Ivars Taurins, and Krisztina Szabo. It’s truly a magical thing. I was pondering the experience of classical music, how so much of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Remembering Kristallnacht

Posted on November 8, 2018 by barczablog

Today’s concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre as part of the Canadian Opera Company’s noon-hour series was a special program titled “Remembering Kristallnacht”,  presented in partnership with the German Consulate of Toronto and the Neuberger’s 2018 Holocaust Education Week. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Closing matinée for Onegin

Posted on November 4, 2018 by barczablog

This afternoon’s late matinée at 4:30 pm was the final performance for Eugene Onegin in the Canadian Opera Company’s fall season. Weekend audiences can be a bit of a challenge especially in the afternoon. Oh sure, we’re all relaxed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Sixth Annual Elizabeth Krehm Memorial Concert November 10th

Posted on November 2, 2018 by barczablog
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Centre Stage 2018: a Night of Voices

Posted on November 2, 2018 by barczablog

There are several ways to watch the annual Centre Stage competition, when young singers vie for a series of awards while seeking places in the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. You can watch & listen to the competitors, eight young … Continue reading →

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Maria by Callas at TIFF

Posted on October 31, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight I saw Tom Volf’s 2017 documentary Maria by Callas at TIFF. With the exception of a brief interview with her singing teacher Elvira de Hidalgo, the film is entirely an account of Maria Callas in her own words, that … Continue reading →

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A Recipe for Resilience: Yiddish Glory

Posted on October 30, 2018 by barczablog

Do you have any DVDs or books or CDs that you use to cheer yourself up or chase away the blues? I’ve had several I relied upon over the years. And I’ve discovered a special new one. I’m very lucky, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Opera Atelier: Actéon and Pygmalion

Posted on October 29, 2018 by barczablog

I saw two baroque operas on the same bill, plus something brand new added. Opera Atelier are presenting Charpentier’s Actéon and Rameau’s Pygmalion at the Elgin Theatre in a program exploring Ovidian tales of transformation, tenor Colin Ainsworth starring in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments