Category Archives: Music and musicology

Debussy: A Painter in Sound

Posted on March 12, 2019 by barczablog

Stephen Walsh’s recent book Debussy: A Painter in Sound from Faber & Faber, is a welcome addition to the literature concerning a man whose star continues to rise, a composer respected & loved more in the 21st century than ever before. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Questions for Cecilia Livingston: Balancing the Score

Posted on March 7, 2019 by barczablog

A little over five years ago, I interviewed composer Cecilia Livingston in anticipation of her new opera commission The Masque of the Red Death, an occasion for some marvelous comments about composing & opera (see what I mean? ). I’m not … Continue reading →

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Musique 3 Femmes: The Next Wave Workshop

Posted on March 7, 2019 by barczablog

Musique 3 Femmes with Tapestry Opera Announces The Next Wave Workshop Presentation of operas by winners of inaugural $25,000 Mécénat Musica Prix 3 Femmes, new prize supporting creation of operas by emerging female and female-identifying composers and librettists in Canada … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Press Releases and Announcements | 2 Comments

Perchance to Dream

Posted on March 4, 2019 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Perchance to Dream in its Canadian Premiere with Toronto Operetta Theatre.  Ivor Novello’s musical romance was a great success upon its first appearance in London in 1945, although tastes have changed. I was reminded of Salieri in … Continue reading →

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Grainger’s rambling approach to popularity

Posted on March 3, 2019 by barczablog

There was a thread on social media not so long ago about music that gives you the shivers. It seemed like a fun topic, when I was walking along in nasty cold weather, to be able to shiver from a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gosford Park, Ivor Novello: Perchance to Dream

Posted on February 28, 2019 by barczablog

When I heard that Toronto Operetta Theatre will be staging Perchance to Dream, an Ivor Novello operetta, I was reminded of Robert Altman’s film Gosford Park.  I dug up the film again last night, delighting in its subtle intimations and … Continue reading →

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Questions for Stacie Dunlop – Lonely Child Project

Posted on February 26, 2019 by barczablog

Stacie Dunlop is a rare artist, a soprano who commissions original new music, some of the most original projects I’ve ever seen. You can read her bio. Three years ago I saw a workshop of The Harvester More recently came … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Egoyan- Lite

Posted on February 24, 2019 by barczablog

I had another look at the Canadian Opera Company’s Cosi fan tutte tonight, a production that I enjoyed even more this time in its closing performance. Last time I was content to have so much fun & so many laughs, … Continue reading →

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Look at The Angel Speaks

Posted on February 22, 2019 by barczablog

I’m sharing some lovely photos by Bruce Zinger of last night’s North American premiere of  The Angel Speaks at the ROM, featuring Opera Atelier and select artists of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. Is Opera Atelier perhaps pushing the envelope of what … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Angel Speaks

Posted on February 22, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight I was present at the North American Premiere of The Angel Speaks, a program of several works in several styles from Opera Atelier in a single performance for a small audience at the Royal Ontario Museum. Would we call … Continue reading →

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