Category Archives: Interviews

Interviewing soprano Sarah Dufresne

Posted on March 5, 2026 by barczablog

Reviewers work after the fact, which means that sometimes we only notice stars when the show is over, especially when we are seeing the artist for the first time. So here I am belatedly interviewing Sarah Dufresne, long after her … Continue reading →

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Jonathan Stuchbery: Diapente’s concert Time’s Eldest Son on the 400th Anniversary of John Dowland’s passing

Posted on February 7, 2026 by barczablog

On February 20th, 1626 English lutenist and composer John Dowland died in London, leaving behind a legacy that brought him fame across Europe, and left him as one of the most recognizable names in renaissance music to this day. Jonathan … Continue reading →

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Musing on Mandle Cheung’s orchestral adventures: an interview

Posted on January 30, 2026 by barczablog

I can’t stop thinking about Mandle Cheung, the successful tech entrepreneur who paid the Toronto Symphony for the privilege of conducting Mahler’s 2nd Symphony last summer. I wrote a review of the concert for the Globe & Mail, and couldn’t … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Nicholas Rice before Another Side Of Rice

Posted on January 16, 2026 by barczablog

I wanted to interview Nicholas Rice, intrigued by the show he’s doing at Red Sandcastle Theatre, Another Side Of Rice. He’s a story-teller and an actor. A Side of Rice was on last March at the Red Sandcastle Theatre. And … Continue reading →

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Lawrence Wiliford shaping art song’s future

Posted on January 13, 2026 by barczablog

Tenor Lawrence Wiliford joined with pianist Steven Philcox and together founded the Canadian Art Song Project (CASP) in 2011. Someday I hope to interview pianist Steven Philcox, who has partnered Lawrence on his CASP journey. A few years ago Lawrence … Continue reading →

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Interview with William Fedkenheuer, new Artistic Director of Toronto Summer Music

Posted on December 13, 2025 by barczablog

William Fedkenheuer is a Canadian violinist, fiddler, and educator, second violinist for the Grammy-nominated Miró Quartet recognized internationally for chamber music and performances at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall. William has begun his new role as Artistic Director of Toronto … Continue reading →

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Interviewing versatile tenor Scott Rumble

Posted on December 7, 2025 by barczablog

I have heard tenor Scott Rumble a few times, a young artist who impressed both vocally and dramatically in Toronto Operetta Theatre’s Die Fledermaus in 2022. Ah how I wish I could have seen him take on the heroic role … Continue reading →

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Kyle and Corey reflect on the Lion-hearted King and the operas telling their stories

Posted on November 4, 2025 by barczablog

Kyle & Corey, as in Kyle Derek Mcdonald and Corey Arnold are the two creators of The Lion Heart, an opera being presented in concert in Ottawa November 15-16, one of several things they’re doing. I wanted to ask Kyle … Continue reading →

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Talking to Sarah Mole about singing and Toronto Summer Music

Posted on October 25, 2025 by barczablog

It’s now mid October, and the worst of our July heat is a memory, but I remember Sarah Mole dashing about doing a million things at the Toronto Summer Music Festival in her role as Communications & Public Relations Manager. … Continue reading →

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William Shookhoff discusses political operas: Menotti’s The Consul from Opera By Request

Posted on October 10, 2025 by barczablog

Opera by Request will be presenting Giancarlo Menotti’s The Consul, an opera premiered in 1950 during the Red Scare, a time with significant parallels to our own. I asked William (Bill) Shookhoff, the Artistic Director of OBR, about the project. … Continue reading →

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