Category Archives: Interviews

10 Questions for Patrick Jordan

Posted on April 29, 2013 by barczablog

Patrick Jordan is a native of West Texas who is in demand across North America as a chamber and orchestral musician. Jordan has been a member of the Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra since 1997, serving most recently as principal … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Aisslinn Nosky, Eybler Quartet, Heliconian Club, Jeanne Lamon, Julie Wedman, Margaret Gay, Michael Kelly, Patrick Jordan, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Rufus Müller

Posted on April 15, 2013 by barczablog

Rufus Müller was acclaimed by The New York Times following a performance in Carnegie Hall as “…easily the best tenor I have heard in a live Messiah.” The British/German tenor is celebrated as the Evangelist in Bach’s Passions, and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Beethoven, Handel, Ivars Taurins, Mark Morris Dance Group, Rufus Müller, Sophie Daneman, Tafelmusik | 4 Comments

10 Questions for Stephen Costello

Posted on April 10, 2013 by barczablog

The fast-rising young tenor Stephen Costello has firmly established himself as one of the current generation’s most impressive artists. He came to national attention in 2007 when, at age 26, he debuted at the Met’s season-opening night and was quickly … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Anna Christy, Canadian Opera Company, David Alden, Donizetti, Four Seasons Centre, James Levine, Jimmy Stewart, Johnny Depp, Lucia di Lammermoor, Metropolitan Opera, Moby Dick, Parterre, Richard Tucker, Stephen Costello, Stephen Lord, Tom Hanks | 1 Comment

Ten questions for Eve Egoyan

Posted on April 7, 2013 by barczablog

Eve Egoyan specializes in the performance of new works. Her intense focus, command of the instrument, insightful interpretations and unique programmes welcome audiences into unknown territory, bridging the gap between them and contemporary composers. “I am passionate about all the … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Ann Southam, Claude Vivier, Eve Egoyan, Michael Finnissy, Piers Hellawell, Taylan Susam | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Nina Lee Aquino

Posted on April 6, 2013 by barczablog

Nina Lee Aquino is in demand, as director, dramaturge and playwright. She was a founding member of fu-Gen Asian Canadian Theatre, where she just finished directing their production of Lauren Yee’s Ching Chong Chinaman (review). Aquino has recently been the … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Cahoots Theatre, carried away on the crest of a wave, David Yee, Factory Theatre, Nina Lee Aquino, Ric Knowles, Tarragon Theatre | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Stuart Hamilton

Posted on April 3, 2013 by barczablog

In the review I posted in March of Stuart Hamilton’s memoir Open Windows, I said that no one has been involved in more aspects of Canadian operatic performance than Stuart Hamilton. Born in Regina, Hamilton, the young pianist chose to … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged CBC, Opera Quiz, Order of Canada, Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, stuart hamilton | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Dixie Ross Neill, Guillermo Silva-Marin, Henry Ingram, Opera in Concert, SOLT, stuart hamilton, Summer Opera Lyric Theatre, Toronto Operetta Theatre, TOT, Voicebox | 7 Comments

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 →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Ambur Braid, Canadian Opera Company, Clemenza di Tito, coloratura, Die entfuhrung aus dem Serail, Marshall Pynkoski, Mozart, Opera Atelier, Tamara Wilson, The Magic Flute, Vitellia | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Carla Huhtanen, Opera Atelier, Peter McGillivray, Stewart Arnott, Svadba, Talisker Players, Time and Tide | 2 Comments

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 →

Posted in Interviews | Tagged Amici Chamber ensemble, Beethoven, Chanson perpétuelle, Chausson, Cinco canciones negras, Dialogues des Carmelites, Francis Poulenc, Isabel Bayrakdarian, Laboratoire Central, Le bal masque, Marilyn Horne, Max Jacob, Montsalvatge, Placido Domingo, Serouj Kradjian | 3 Comments