Category Archives: Interviews

10 Questions for Guillermo Silva-Marin

Posted on March 29, 2013 by barczablog

The most influential man on the Toronto opera scene?  That would be Guillermo Silva-Marin.  His biographer and collaborator Henry Ingram put it this way: Singer, teacher, director, producer, impresario, musician…each of these words describes Guillermo Silva-Marin and sometimes he is … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Ambur Braid

Posted on March 9, 2013 by barczablog

Ambur Braid may have a catchy name, but the reason you remember it is because of what she does with her opportunities. The voice gets mentioned almost in passing (a secure dramatic coloratura that allows her to undertake challenging roles … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Carla Huhtanen

Posted on February 27, 2013 by barczablog

Soprano Carla Huhtanen is in demand internationally for her soaring, translucent voice, her winning stage presence, and her diverse repertoire, gracing stages throughout Europe and across North America, a strong interpreter of traditional repertoire, unafraid of new composition. A regular … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Isabel Bayrakdarian

Posted on February 26, 2013 by barczablog

When I pictured writing a biographical essay about Isabel Bayrakdarian, the phrase that popped into my head –no lie—is exactly the one you find on her official bio on her website.  She really did “burst onto the international opera scene”.  … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Jacqueline Woodley

Posted on February 18, 2013 by barczablog

Soprano Jacqueline Woodley is as comfortable undertaking original music as she is taking on well-known classics. Modern? Woodley created the role of Milica the bride in Ana Sokolovic’s Svadba with Queen of Puddings.   This past year she sang Arvo Pärt’s … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Franz-Josef Selig

Posted on February 9, 2013 by barczablog

German bass Franz-Josef Selig is making his Canadian Opera Company debut as King Marke in Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. Selig has performed at the world’s great opera houses including the Met, Royal Opera House Covent Garden, La Scala, Wiener Staatsoper, … Continue reading →

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Seven Liebestod questions for Christopher Mokrzewski

Posted on January 29, 2013 by barczablog

On Saturday February 2nd as part of the Opera Exchange colloquium on Richard Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde, with a nod to the composer’s bicentennial, pianist Christopher Mokrzewski will be playing Franz Liszt’s transcription of the liebestod for piano solo. Mokrzewski … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Wallis Giunta

Posted on January 26, 2013 by barczablog

Have you seen this smile? That’s Wallis Giunta, who may have caught your eye in the in-flight magazine you’d casually leaf through if you were flying Porter airlines between New York and Toronto: as Giunta herself likely does.  A graduate … Continue reading →

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Ten Questions for Christopher Enns

Posted on January 25, 2013 by barczablog

Born in Manitoba, tenor Christopher Enns is in his final season with the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio. He made his COC debut as an American/Glass Maker/Strolling Player in Death in Venice.   Enns was one of the strengths of the … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Allyson McHardy

Posted on December 9, 2012 by barczablog

Mezzo-soprano Allyson McHardy has a voice that invites sensuous adjectives.  Radiant?  Dusky? Sumptuous?  You be the judge. In the past year I wrote about her participation in two very different productions by the same composer, namely Händel: Hercules semi-staged by … Continue reading →

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