Author Archives: barczablog

The Poetry of Apocalypse: The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky at TIFF

Posted on October 19, 2017 by barczablog

The Poetry of Apocalypse: The Films of Andrei Tarkovsky First Toronto retrospective in 15 years devoted to the visionary Russian auteur, including full theatrical runs for sci-fi masterpieces Stalkerand Solaris November 9 — 30, 2017 TIFF Bell Lightbox The Mirror (1974), Photo Credit: Janus Films … Continue reading →

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Magic Elixir

Posted on October 15, 2017 by barczablog

It’s my second consecutive opera involving a romantic beverage at the Four Seasons Centre with the Canadian Opera Company, and no I don’t mean what I was drinking. I can’t help comparing and contrasting Arabella, yesterday’s opera with The Elixir … Continue reading →

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Timely Arabella

Posted on October 15, 2017 by barczablog

Some compositions catch on right away, others take awhile to find an audience. I saw and enjoyed Arabella tonight in the Canadian Opera Company premiere production, the first time they’ve presented it: the sixth and last (premiered in 1933) in … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Simon Callow Being Wagner

Posted on October 13, 2017 by barczablog

I’ve just devoured a new book, Simon Callow’s Being Wagner.   The University of Toronto’s excellent music library just acquired it, a new book with a 2017 copyright. The cover shows the sub-title “Triumph of the Will” which is likely apt, … Continue reading →

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Adizokan images

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

I’m adding a bit to what I posted last night. I can’t deny that my understanding of Adizokan is only partial.  I wanted to mention the dancers, namely Eddie Elliott, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Julie Pham, and Jera Wolfe, plus Michel Muniidobenese  … Continue reading →

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Adizokan

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight I was present for the premiere of Adizokan, a collaboration between Red Sky Performance and the Toronto Symphony as part of Canada 150. It was much easier surrendering to the sounds and sights of this multi-media multi-disciplinary work than … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Gala Concert — Transatlantic Opera

Posted on October 6, 2017 by barczablog

http://www.transatlanticopera.com

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Playing it Forward: Artists Giving Back

Posted on October 6, 2017 by barczablog

A collection of artists has come together to present Playing it Forward: Artists Giving Back (PiF), a music and theatre showcase highlighting exceptional Toronto artists in support of worthwhile causes in their communities. Each of the six presentations will have … Continue reading →

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Dumb luck at the EJB

Posted on October 5, 2017 by barczablog

I found something marvelous and don’t deserve any credit for the discovery. That’s why I say “dumb luck.” We’ve just had the verismo class in the opera course I teach at School of Continuing Studies here at University of Toronto. … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

TSO, Reineke and Williams

Posted on October 4, 2017 by barczablog

Roy Thomson Hall was jammed tonight, fans of every age including parents & their children. The programme presented by the Toronto Symphony was a small sampling of the film music of John Williams. There’s no mistaking the interest. In 2016 … Continue reading →

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