Author Archives: barczablog

Martin Geck: Beethoven’s Symphonies

Posted on November 8, 2017 by barczablog

Sometimes the release of books and records seems serendipitous.  If I look closer at the process I might start to feel cynical. I will cling to the positive magic implicit in serendipity, naive though it may seem.  For instance, here … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Vegan in Toronto

Posted on November 7, 2017 by barczablog

Where would you take a visitor to Toronto if you knew (s)he were vegan or vegetarian? I was in a rut for awhile, with two standard answers to that question, one in Kensington Market, one on Bloor St.  But now … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition | 6 Comments

Musik für das Ende

Posted on November 4, 2017 by barczablog

I’m late coming to the party, seeing something near the end of its run. After seeing Musik für das Ende tonight at the beautiful Guloien Theatre, one of the spaces at Streetcar Crowsnest, Crow’s Theatre’s new facility, I had a … Continue reading →

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

Centre Stage 2017

Posted on November 2, 2017 by barczablog

They keep fine-tuning the format for the Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage Gala, the competition & celebration of the Ensemble Studio, now in its fifth year as a gala, seventh as a singing competition. I would say this was the … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera | Leave a comment

Legends of Horror

Posted on November 1, 2017 by barczablog

If you like your theatre interactive, I have the show for you. But whoops tonight was the closing night. Even so I am betting that Legends of Horror will come back to Casa Loma next year.  I sure hope so.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Popular music & culture, Reviews | 1 Comment

Opera Atelier Marriage of Figaro

Posted on October 30, 2017 by barczablog

A year and a half ago it was a conceptual Marriage of Figaro including a mysterious cupid and bird carcasses, in Claus Guth’s production at the Canadian Opera Company.  Now it’s Opera Atelier’s turn in a production at the Elgin … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Leave a comment

Israel Philharmonic and Zubin Mehta

Posted on October 29, 2017 by barczablog

You knew this had to be a different concert from the beginning, the second half of an exchange, that had begun with the Toronto Symphony’s visit to Israel last year.  Roy Thomson Hall was really full, including the seats behind … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 5 Comments

Questions for Douglas Williams: Figaro

Posted on October 27, 2017 by barczablog

Bass-baritone Douglas Williams is now performing the title role in the Opera Atelier production The Marriage of Figaro that runs this week at the Elgin Theatre. His repertoire reaches over four centuries, being a sought-after interpreter of Monteverdi, Handel, Bach, … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 3 Comments

Sir Michael’s lesson in intellectual property

Posted on October 27, 2017 by barczablog

The painting is called Sir Michael’s Tarp, by Orion Martin, 36 inches by 72 inches. When I was shown the painting, it didn’t seem familiar right away.  If I hadn’t been told I would never have made the connection to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Leave a comment

The Big Sick

Posted on October 22, 2017 by barczablog

I don’t usually see movies when they’re brand new.  But I feel daring and all caught up because I’ve just seen The Big Sick, Kumail Nanjiani’s auto-biographical comedy. It’s a film that came out back in January. It feels even … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Reviews | Leave a comment