Category Archives: Music and musicology

Franz Liszt and Marie d’Agoult letters

Posted on May 25, 2014 by barczablog

I first encountered the romance between Franz Liszt and Comtesse Marie d’Agoult in Impromptu, a film full of famous artists in the script (Chopin, Liszt, Sand) and on the screen (Judy Davis, Hugh Grant, Mandy Patinkin & Bernadette Peters).  Impromptu … Continue reading →

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Les Adieux

Posted on May 21, 2014 by barczablog

The Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio had their annual noon-hour concert to commemorate the departure of some of their members, titled “Les Adieux”. The three performers? Michael Shannon, piano Cameron McPhail, baritone Sasha Djihanian, soprano For most of the concert … Continue reading →

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Louis Riel

Posted on May 17, 2014 by barczablog

When I was young there was a phrase used so often that it became a cliché, something to be joked about. What exactly was the “Canadian identity”, and –other than hockey or maple syrup –what was Canadian culture? As far … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Quixotic Ride

Posted on May 10, 2014 by barczablog

On Thursday May 22nd Stephen R. Clarke will be lecturing on “Chaliapin: A Portrait in Recordings” as part of the Canadian Opera Company‘s free noon-hour lecture series.  I wonder if Clarke will play any examples from Massenet’s Don Quichotte?  Unfortunately … Continue reading →

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

A Celebration of Jeanne Lamon

Posted on May 9, 2014 by barczablog

At the end they handed her a bouquet, and she immediately separated it into discreet flowers, walking among her colleagues handing one to each.  It was a moment that was so typical. Jeanne Lamon has been in the process of … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Amanda Smith

Posted on May 1, 2014 by barczablog

Amanda Smith is Artistic Director & Resident Stage Director of FAWN Opera, a new company I’ve recently seen for the first time.  In the middle of April they presented l’Homme et le Ciel a new opera in progress (review).  Her … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Back for More Moore, Bacon (and Brandt)

Posted on April 29, 2014 by barczablog

Today I revisited the AGO show “Francis Bacon Henry Moore Terror and Beauty” (or FBHM for short) that I wrote about at the beginning of April.  I’m on holiday today even if it’s a rainy spring day.  I saw the … Continue reading →

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Perfecting Persée

Posted on April 28, 2014 by barczablog

This morning I wondered, hm will I have anything to say?  This is Opera Atelier’s third Persée this millennium.  And now I have so much to say that I’ll probably have to split it into at least two separate posts.  … Continue reading →

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Rick Sacks’ free concert tomorrow

Posted on April 23, 2014 by barczablog

“Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment Join Arraymusic’s Rick Sacks for a noon hour concert at the C.O.C.   presents Rick Sacks’ Solo MalletKat Concert Thursday., April 24, Noon The Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre (southeast corner of Queen … Continue reading →

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Cobalt

Posted on April 23, 2014 by barczablog

It’s a colour.  It’s an element.  And most recently, it’s Jocelyn Morlock’s CD that I’ve been playing incessantly. I first encountered Morlock as one of the composers in the workshop experience of Tapestry Briefs,  a process whimsically compared to speed-dating. … Continue reading →

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