Author Archives: barczablog

Kindred Spirits in Markham

Posted on February 12, 2017 by barczablog

At the risk of saying something really obvious: there’s a great deal of music going on in Toronto, and all around the city too.  I ventured just north of the city to one of several community venues, the charming 527 … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

Remembering Nicolai Gedda

Posted on February 11, 2017 by barczablog

The passing of tenor Nicolai Gedda will elicit testimonials and remembrances of the artist, of the person, of performances & great moments. I’m just sharing this because I think it’s important to do so, arguably all that we have.  Drama … Continue reading →

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A Bach Tapestry

Posted on February 11, 2017 by barczablog

It’s been a JS Bach sort of week, what with the tiff screening on Wednesday (“Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach” coming Friday, March 3 at 6:30 p.m)  and the press release announcing the upcoming Bach Festival, including a reconstruction of … Continue reading →

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BACH IS BACK: 2nd Annual Toronto Bach Festival

Posted on February 10, 2017 by barczablog

2nd Annual Toronto Bach Festival: May 26 – 28, 2017 Toronto (Canada) February 9, 2017… Artistic Director John Abberger is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Toronto Bach Festival is taking place May 26, 27 and 28, 2017 in Toronto. … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | 1 Comment

Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach: Straub & Huillet @ tiff

Posted on February 9, 2017 by barczablog

Chronik der Anna Magdalena Bach is the original title of the 1967 film by Danièle Huillet & Jean-Marie Straub, that I just saw on a new 35 mm print, courtesy of TIFF / Bell Lightbox, in anticipation of an upcoming … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Press Releases and Announcements | 5 Comments

Ambitious Kindred Spirits Orchestra

Posted on February 7, 2017 by barczablog

I’m going to my first Kindred Spirits Orchestra concert February 11th , intrigued by their ambitious programs but also because I’ve had a bit of a preview from one of the participants. In previous months they’ve done difficult works such … Continue reading →

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Chester Brown’s Louis Riel

Posted on February 4, 2017 by barczablog

Last week a fun outing with a child to a bookstore led to a windfall.  I hadn’t expected to find a book for myself but as I browsed through graphic novels I saw a title that grabbed me. “Louis Riel” … Continue reading →

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Toronto Consort’s Utopian Kanatha/Canada: First Encounters

Posted on February 4, 2017 by barczablog

I totally loved what I saw tonight from Toronto Chamber Choir in collaboration with the Toronto Consort led by their artistic director David Fallis, so much so that I’m taking a moment to double-check. I’m writing about something very complex, … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

Götterdämmerung

Posted on February 3, 2017 by barczablog

When I did my year-end review of the highlights of 2016, I cited the Canadian Opera Company’s production of Wagner’s Siegfried in January. Here we are beginning 2017 and once again I’ve experienced something that will be hard to beat. … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Questions for Eric Weimer: coaching Götterdämmerung for COC

Posted on January 30, 2017 by barczablog

A veteran of over 30 years at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Eric Weimer has coached over 100 Lyric productions, as well as an additional 100 productions in other international houses, including the Metropolitan Opera and the Bayreuth Festival. Renowned particularly … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Leave a comment