Category Archives: Music and musicology

Fawn Opera: l’Homme et le Ciel

Posted on April 12, 2014 by barczablog

I witnessed a clinic on how to create buzz. Let’s review. Social media spread the word about L’Homme et le Ciel, an opera in progress from Fawn Opera.  This past week, the performers did a workshop, and then opened it … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Giasone: Back to the Future

Posted on April 7, 2014 by barczablog

What a weekend.  While I only managed to get to three things in three days (Tap:Ex Friday, Hercules Saturday, and Giasone today) I feel I’ve been to a symposium studying the possibilities for opera.  It’s a happy accident that the … Continue reading →

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

Tapestry’s Revolutionary Questions

Posted on April 5, 2014 by barczablog

I apologized to Michael Mori –Tapestry Opera’s Artistic Director & the director of Tap:Ex Revolutions, the program that opened tonight at the Ernest Balmer Studio—after the show for what I knew was going to say.  Not critical words, but rather, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

CASP at RBA

Posted on March 27, 2014 by barczablog

I’d like to call the Canadian Art Song Project a recent initiative, but I think the truth is that they’ve been around since 2011 and so I’m late to the party. Today was my first encounter with CASP. They were … Continue reading →

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

Any interpreter

Posted on March 27, 2014 by barczablog

Am I like everyone else? Could be. I know people who get bored with music, are incessantly searching for new tunes, new interpretations, new sensations.  I don’t use that B word, which strikes me as a kind of obscenity.  How … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | 5 Comments

10 Questions for Laura Pudwell

Posted on March 21, 2014 by barczablog

Laura Pudwell’s reputation as a superb vocalist has been well-established as a result of her performances worldwide, in a vast repertoire ranging from early music to contemporary works. I’ve been watching her engaging performances for many years, fascinated by her … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Voices to discover

Posted on March 20, 2014 by barczablog

The media give us interfaces with the arts.  Yes, we can go see plays, concerts & operas in person.  But what are the credentials of those voices on TV, radio, in newspapers and elsewhere?  We’ve all heard that  line “those … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Creature to Creature

Posted on March 17, 2014 by barczablog

Talisker Players’ program themed around the animal kingdom titled “Creature to Creature” was better than expected. I should explain, because I love Talisker.  Why lower expectations?  Classical programs using music about animals usually condescend. Such compositions –however excellent—are relegated to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Mary McGeer

Posted on March 7, 2014 by barczablog

Mary McGeer is Artistic Director of Talisker Players Chamber Music, General Manager and principal violist of the Talisker Players Choral Music Orchestra, also principal violist of the Huronia Symphony, and performs with a wide variety of other ensembles in and … Continue reading →

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Adams & Thomalla at RBA

Posted on March 5, 2014 by barczablog

Today’s free concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre was an opportunity to hear composers John Adams and Hans Thomalla.  We heard them speak and then we heard their music. The RBA is not to be confused with an ideal concert … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment