Category Archives: Interviews

Questions for Thomas Gough: Ebenezer Scrooge

Posted on November 23, 2018 by barczablog

If you go to the theatre in Toronto it’s quite possible you’ve seen Thomas Gough. He has an avuncular presence, perhaps a result of years as a teacher, and so he’s perfect for roles such as Brabantio in Othello or … Continue reading →

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Questions for Colin Ainsworth: Actéon and Pygmalion

Posted on October 13, 2018 by barczablog

Tenor Colin Ainsworth is one of the most versatile performers I know. While he regularly stars in period performance he has done lots of new works, including Victor Davies’ The Transit of Venus and Rufus Wainwright’s Prima Donna.  He has had … Continue reading →

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Hadrian’s Dramaturg: Questions for Cori Ellison

Posted on October 6, 2018 by barczablog

Cori Ellison is the Dramaturg for the Canadian Opera Company’s world premiere production of Hadrian¸composed by Rufus Wainwright and with libretto by Daniel MacIvor. Cori Ellison, a leading creative figure in the opera world, was recently appointed staff Dramaturg at … Continue reading →

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A conversation with psychic Anastasia (Stacey) Agouros

Posted on July 4, 2018 by barczablog

I begin a bit differently on this occasion. I will speak about metaphysics & my beliefs. While I grew up infatuated with science, Hamlet put it nicely when he said There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than … Continue reading →

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Questions for Bruno Roy

Posted on May 18, 2018 by barczablog

Time flies. It seems like it was only yesterday that baritone Bruno Roy was a finalist in Centre Stage, the 2015 Ensemble Studio competition. The new voice that we had never heard before? He is now about to make his … Continue reading →

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Questions for David Fallis: Toronto Consort & Monteverdi’s Orfeo

Posted on May 9, 2018 by barczablog

When I interviewed David Fallis five and a half years ago concerning a period production of Der Freischütz my first sentence said that he “is surely one of the most important musical minds in Canada,” an assertion that has only gathered weight with … Continue reading →

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Questions for Tracy Dahl

Posted on April 19, 2018 by barczablog

In the recent Canadian Opera Company Cosi fan tutte from just over 4 years ago, Tracy Dahl’s sparkling portrayal of Despina was the breath of fresh air that we desperately needed in Atom Egoyan’s dark intense interpretation. Here’s what I … Continue reading →

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Questions for Victor Davies: The Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Posted on March 7, 2018 by barczablog

Victor Davies is a Canadian composer whose work I have previously encountered in Toronto productions. His adaptation of Wilde’s comedy (in partnership with librettist Eugene Benson), called Earnest, The Importance of Being came to Toronto Operetta Theatre in 2015 (originally … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera, Politics, University life | 1 Comment

Questions for Geoffrey Sirett – The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring

Posted on February 24, 2018 by barczablog

Sometimes interviews are a pretext to get closer to someone you’ve admired for awhile, watching their development as an artist. Oh sure, I’m interviewing Geoffrey Sirett because he’s about to star in the Canadian Stage – Tapestry Opera—Vancouver Opera co-production … Continue reading →

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

Questions for Maxim Lando: Lang Lang’s protégé

Posted on February 16, 2018 by barczablog

Maxim Lando is a 15 year old American pianist. In 2017 at the age of fourteen, Maxim performed Rachmaninoff 3rd Concerto with the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra in Saint Petersburg,  receiving rave commentary on the popular Russian TV Kultura program Tzar’s … Continue reading →

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