Category Archives: Music and musicology

Opera Atelier: Actéon and Pygmalion

Posted on October 29, 2018 by barczablog

I saw two baroque operas on the same bill, plus something brand new added. Opera Atelier are presenting Charpentier’s Actéon and Rameau’s Pygmalion at the Elgin Theatre in a program exploring Ovidian tales of transformation, tenor Colin Ainsworth starring in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A closer look at Hadrian

Posted on October 28, 2018 by barczablog

Today was the closing performance of Hadrian, the new opera by Rufus Wainwright and Daniel MacIvor, presented by the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Centre. After tonight’s display of healthy nearly-naked male bodies in a homosexual love story, … Continue reading →

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Workshop Ecology

Posted on October 27, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve been tossing and turning, struggling with several questions in my head. I regularly wake up in the night to fine-tune something that I’ve blogged, fixing a wrong spelling, adding wrinkles & nuances. It’s been a turbulent two weeks, as … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Pushing our buttons 2: pornographic musings on Actéon and Venus

Posted on October 23, 2018 by barczablog

Ten days ago I posted something about erotic opera, especially as it pertains to Actéon, an opera that is to be presented again by Opera Atelier beginning Thursday October 25th at the Elgin Theatre. Near the end of that post … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thomas Søndergård leads the TSO

Posted on October 21, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight was the second of two consecutive concerts of the Toronto Symphony conducted by Danish maestro Thomas Søndergård, a spectacular program devoured by an eager audience showing off the strengths of the orchestra: Thomas Adès: Dances from Powder Her face … 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 →

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

Han-Na Chang, Javier Perianes: photos from Nick Wons

Posted on October 4, 2018 by barczablog

I have these three great pictures from Nick Wons to add to yesterday’s review of the Toronto Symphony conducted by Han-Na Chang, I figured I’d simply post them this way, which gives them–and him– a bit more oomph, some extra … Continue reading →

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Han-Na Chang and Javier Perianes: Mahler & Ravel

Posted on October 4, 2018 by barczablog

The Toronto Symphony played a mid-week concert tonight to a rapturous reception. The TSO are in a transition, awaiting their new music director while playing either with their interim Artistic director Andrew Davis, or with a series of guests.  There … Continue reading →

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A new start with the old guy

Posted on September 23, 2018 by barczablog

A very long time ago I was a Toronto Symphony subscriber watching Andrew Davis conduct the TSO. We’re both much older now. Tonight’s concert at Roy Thomson Hall was the launch of a new season with a new leader stepping … Continue reading →

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Mozart 40, Tafelmusik 40

Posted on September 22, 2018 by barczablog

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra are at Koerner Hall this week. I can’t be the only one noticing the parallel between the title of tonight’s concert (“Mozart 40”) & a historical note in the program (“Tafelmusik at 40”) Perhaps its an accidental … Continue reading →

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