Author Archives: barczablog

Extra Questions for John Allemang

Posted on January 16, 2018 by barczablog

I went to a small school where hero-worship was natural, given that we were all boys (that changed as they admitted girls for the first time in the very year I left, and yes I wish it had been sooner).  … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 3 Comments

Nine in Concert

Posted on January 13, 2018 by barczablog

The musical Nine is a bit of a virtuoso vehicle, putting thirteen women, a man and a boy onstage together.  The music & lyrics by Maury Yeston are never easy but quite rewarding, particularly if you have an actual orchestra, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Leave a comment

H̶a̶m̶l̶e̶t̶ at Tarragon

Posted on January 11, 2018 by barczablog

On the program it’s Hamlet but the font is struck through like this: H̶a̶m̶l̶e̶t̶. I wondered, was this to be a musical? The advance description said “Shakespeare’s best-known tragedy is reimagined on the Tarragon stage through the powerful lens of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 1 Comment

Who is Guido? I ask the women of NINE

Posted on January 8, 2018 by barczablog

Podium Concert Productions, who will be presenting Nine in Concert January 12-13 describe the show this way: Based on Italian director Federico Fellini’s comic masterpiece of biographical filmmaking, 8 1/2, Maury Yeston’s sultry and enchanting musical Nine follows the life … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews | Leave a comment

Wild and crazy Wedding Party

Posted on January 6, 2018 by barczablog

My second visit to the Guloien Theatre at Streetcar Crowsnest was very different from my last one, entranced by Musik für das Ende, the world and work of Claude Vivier last fall. While it’s a different sort of magic, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 4 Comments

Canadian Premieres of Jake Heggie Holocaust Operas

Posted on January 5, 2018 by barczablog

New Company Stages Canadian Premieres of Jake Heggie Holocaust Operas in Partnership with North America’s Largest Conservative Jewish Congregation Another Sunrise​ and ​Farewell, Auschwitz​ to be staged by the Electric Bond Opera Ensemble at Beth Tzedec TORONTO – The Electric Bond … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | Leave a comment

Film music as lens: another way to study cinema

Posted on January 3, 2018 by barczablog

It’s the same for Episode VIII as in IV, V, VI, as it was in I, II, III and more recently in VII. No this isn’t a spoiler. No I won’t give anything away. I just saw the most recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology | Leave a comment

Ave atque vale 2017

Posted on December 31, 2017 by barczablog

Ave atque vale 2017.   And thank goodness the year is ending. While it may have included some celebratory moments –the Sesquicentennial of Canadian Confederation and my father’s 100th birthday—I felt a grim shadow hanging over everything. Can there be any … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 3 Comments

Candide at Toronto Operetta Theatre

Posted on December 29, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight was the first of six performances of Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, running on consecutive weekends (evenings of Dec 28 & 30 Jan 5 & 6, matinees of Dec 31 & Jan 7), presented at the Bluma Appel Theatre by Toronto … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals | 1 Comment

Questions for Derek Bate

Posted on December 19, 2017 by barczablog

Derek Bate has impacted different aspects of the musical life of Toronto, known both for music-theatre & opera. A one time Chorus Master of the Canadian Opera Company, Derek was in the pit for the original Toronto Production of Les … Continue reading →

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