Category Archives: Books & Literature

John Holland’s unexpected polemic in The Lost Tradition of Dvořák’s Operas

Posted on February 29, 2024 by barczablog

When I started reading John Holland’s new book, I didn’t expect it to be more than a study of a composer and his operas. That modest goal would already be significant, considering the cognitive dissonance I feel whenever the plural … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Opera | Tagged Bolshoi, Das Rheingold, Dmitri Tcherniakov, dramaturgy, Giuseppe Verdi, Jacobin, John Holland, Linda Hutcheon, Prince Igor, Regietheater, Richard Wagner, Robert Donington, Rusalka, Ruslan und Ludmilla | Leave a comment

The Year of Czech Music: Questions for John Holland

Posted on January 23, 2024 by barczablog

The Year of Czech Music is an event that since 1924 has commemorated the major figures of Czech music. I understand that it began in 1924 for Bedřich Smetana’s 100th anniversary, and has been repeated on every year that ends in a “4” , … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged Anton Dvorak, Bedrich Smetana, Canadian Institute for Czech Music, Jakobín, John Holland, Leos Janacek, Prodaná Nevěsta, The Bartered Bride, The Makropulos Case, Věc Makropulos, Year of Czech Music, Year of Czech Music Opera Fest | Leave a comment

Andrew Smith: a life in motion

Posted on December 9, 2023 by barczablog

The book I’m writing about would make a great gift any time of the year. Do you reread books? It may sound odd but I love to reread a favorite book. I like to re-read novels. I watch favorite films … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature | Tagged A life in motion, Andrew Smith, Rebuilding Janise, stroke | 2 Comments

From Sappho’s Lyre

Posted on December 9, 2023 by barczablog

Constantine Caravassilis is the composer of From Sappho’s Lyre, a recording from Orchid Classics of original music played by Tallinna Kammerorkester and Tenth Muse Ensemble and vocal soloists, setting poetry by Sappho, Jeffrey Duban and Sara Teasdale, that might make … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology | Tagged Claude Debussy, Constantine Caravassilis, From Sappho’s Lyre, Pierre Louÿs, Sappho, Sara Teasdale, Tallinna Kammerorkester | Leave a comment

The Master Plan, Toronto vs Google

Posted on September 14, 2023 by barczablog

Crow’s Theatre opened The Master Plan tonight, the world premiere of Michael Healey’s adaptation of Josh O’Kane’s book Sideways: the city Google couldn’t buy. Directed by Chris Abraham featuring a powerful ensemble cast this is the most fun I’ve had … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Dance, theatre & musicals | Tagged Amelia Scott, Ben Carlson, Bill Denning, Chris Abraham, CNN, Crow's Theatre, Dan Doctoroff, Google, Jennifer Keesmaat, Josh O'Kane, Joshua Quinlan, Michael Healey, Mike Shara, Peter Fernandes, Peter Hinton, Philippa Domville, Robert Lepage, saturday night live, Sideways, Tara Nicodemo, The Master Plan, Yanna McIntosh | 2 Comments

Blithe Spirits

Posted on September 6, 2023 by barczablog

Hmm: another trip to Shaw, another ghost story. Last time it was Wharton’s The Shadow of a Doubt. “Shadow” is another word for spirit, right in the title. This past weekend Erika and I went to see Blithe Spirit at … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged Bert Lahr, Blithe Spirit, Constance Cummings, Damien Atkins, Dan Stevens, David Lean, Donna Soares, Edith Wharton, Edward Hall, Isla Fisher, Jenny Wright, Judd Apatow, Judi Dench, Julia Course, Kay Hammond, Leslie Mann, Margaret Rutherford, Mike Payette, Rex Harrison, Richard Addinsell, Shaw Festival, The Shadow of a Doubt | Leave a comment

Three Oppenheimers

Posted on August 27, 2023 by barczablog

No one left the IMAX theatre for the three intense hours of Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Nightmare images that night reminded of my childhood, portents of the end of the world as I tossed and turned. Kai Bird and Martin J … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Reviews | Tagged agency, American Prometheus, Black Panther, Bruce Robinson, Christopher Nolan, Ennio Morricone, Fat Man and Little Boy, Gerald Finley, J Robert Oppenheimer, John Adams, John Cusack, John Donne, Kai Bird, Laura Dern, Ludwig Göransson, Martin J Sherwin, Melodrama, Miserere, Oppenheimer, Otello, Roland Joffé, The Mission, The Untouchables | Leave a comment

Edith Wharton’s The Shadow of a Doubt at Shaw Festival

Posted on August 12, 2023 by barczablog

There’s a mystery underlying Edith Wharton’s play The Shadow of a Doubt. The text was just rediscovered by scholars in 2016, after sitting unproduced. There was almost a production in 1903 but it was cancelled. And now the Shaw Festival … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged Damien Atkins, Daniel Day-Lewis, Edith Wharton, Georges Feydeau, Gillian Gallow, Haui, Katherine Gauthier, Martin Scorsese, Melodrama, Michelle Pfeiffer, Oscar Wilde, Patrick Galligan, Peter Hinton, Tara Rosling, The Age of Innocence, Winona Ryder | 4 Comments

Rossini’s Otello from Opera By Request

Posted on June 26, 2023 by barczablog

Last night I watched a concert presentation of Rossini’s Otello from Opera By Request, a company who demonstrate their importance with every outing. Bill Shookhoff leads from the piano working without a conductor, seated upstage of performers who face the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged Arrigo Boito, Berio di Salsa, Bill Shookhoff, College Street United Church, Ernesto Ramirez, Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Meagan Reimer, Opera by Request, Otello, Othello, Paul Williamson, William Shakespeare | Leave a comment

Macbeth closing performance: women have it harder

Posted on May 21, 2023 by barczablog

Three weeks ago I reviewed the powerful opening night of the new Sir David McVicar production of Verdi’s Macbeth from the Canadian Opera Company. Today I came full circle watching the last show of the run including exciting changes in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged Adam Luther, Canadian Opera Company, Charlotte Siegel, Elinor Ross, Four Seasons Centre, Giuseppe Verdi, Lady Macbeth, Louis Quilico, Macbeth, Matthew Cairns, Quinn Kelsey, Sir David McVicar, Speranza Scappucci, Tosca, Tracy Cantin | Leave a comment