Author Archives: barczablog

Tribute to Maureen Forrester

Posted on October 20, 2017 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony presented the first of two concerts titled “A Tribute to Maureen Forrester” tonight, a celebration of a great Canadian artist, and two premieres. It felt a bit like a radio program, given that Ben Heppner was “host” … Continue reading →

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Tessék?

Posted on October 19, 2017 by barczablog

A little something has nagged at me for days after seeing Arabella at the Canadian Opera Company on the weekend, a moment stuck in my head like an ear-worm. It’s not a musical ear-worm, it’s a linguistic one. I have … Continue reading →

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Tapestry pays it forward

Posted on October 19, 2017 by barczablog

Tapestry Opera receives gift of $225,000 Bösendorfer piano; ‘pays it forward’ with disaster relief concert on October 25 Opera and jazz greats unite to inaugurate “the Stradivarius of pianos” with proceeds to benefit relief efforts across the world (Toronto, ON) – Tapestry Opera has … Continue reading →

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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 →

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

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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