Category Archives: Dance, theatre & musicals

Korngold’s other film-score

Posted on March 26, 2024 by barczablog

On April 7th the ARC Ensemble present a concert “The Viennese in Los Angeles”, a happier title than what they might choose to call it, from composers in exile.  In the promotion for the event we’re told that for the … Continue reading →

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Toronto Symphony explores nuances of newness in Stravinsky’s Pulcinella

Posted on February 24, 2024 by barczablog

Tonight Gustavo Gimeno and his Toronto Symphony presented their latest TSO live concert at Roy Thomson Hall, recorded for future release by Harmonia Mundi recording label. We were a well-behaved audience, not making any disruptive noises, like polite voyeurs watching … Continue reading →

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Study Acting with Cynthia Ashperger

Posted on January 17, 2024 by barczablog

This is both a trip down memory lane and an attempt to promote some acting classes. When I saw that Cynthia Ashperger is offering acting classes my first impulse was to check my schedule. I’ve worked with her before as … Continue reading →

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TOT Pirates

Posted on October 20, 2023 by barczablog

When you’re watching your dog prowling in the back-yard and the phrase “with cat-like tread” pops into your head, you know Gilbert and Sullivan must be on your mind. Of course I knew I was going to attend the Toronto … Continue reading →

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Topdog/Underdog and questions of greatness

Posted on October 7, 2023 by barczablog

Last night I went to see Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, promoted as “The Greatest American Play of the past 25 years” according to the NY Times and identified as “a darkly comic fable” in one of the ads. Directed by … Continue reading →

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Apocryphonia: GinasterAmirov

Posted on October 2, 2023 by barczablog

When I interviewed Alex Cappellazzo a few weeks ago I asked: what does “Apocryphonia” mean? But tonight I found myself thinking about another question (and seeing the answer before me), namely what do we understand by “authenticity?” It came up … Continue reading →

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First look at Last Epistle at Tarragon

Posted on September 28, 2023 by barczablog

Last night I was present for the opening night of The Last Epistle of Tightrope Time, a Tarragon/NAC presentation of the National Arts Centre/ Neptune Theatre co-production. The Last Epistle is a one-man show written and performed by Walter Borden, … Continue reading →

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Canoe

Posted on September 19, 2023 by barczablog

For such a brief title, the opera Canoe invites me to go on at length. It’s not that it is a difficult work, for it was very accessible to the audience at Trinity St. Paul’s. But I want to properly … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Alexander Cappellazzo – Apocryphonia and Diapente Renaissance Vocal Quintet

Posted on September 17, 2023 by barczablog

I first encountered Alexander Cappellazzo in the title role of L’Amant anonyme by Joseph Bologne for Voicebox- Opera in Concert back in March of this year, when he sang “a passage in the first scene that contains an obscene number … Continue reading →

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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 →

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