Category Archives: Opera

Holly Chaplin talks about singing, directing and fund-raising with Benevolence Opera Project at the Redwood Theatre

Posted on October 24, 2026 by barczablog

Fast Times in Seville is a new version of Carmen, coming Friday November 13th. Cursed in Mantua adapts Rigoletto the next night, Saturday November 14th. Both shows are fundraisers in support of Benevolence Opera Project (aka “BOP”), a new organization, … Continue reading →

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Opera Atelier’s Descent of Orpheus

Posted on October 23, 2026 by barczablog

Watching Opera Atelier open their fall season at Koerner Hall Thursday October 22nd was a snapshot of their history in one impressive show. Their new production of Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s The Descent of Orpheus (1686), continues the company’s exploration of theatre … Continue reading →

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Virtuoso Traviata to close COC fall season

Posted on October 18, 2026 by barczablog

I was glad to see the final show in the Canadian Opera Company’s fall run of La Traviata Saturday afternoon October 17th, a chance to hear the trio of principals (soprano Kathryn Lewek, tenor Long Long & baritone Russell Braun) … Continue reading →

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Adanya Dunn rescuing Grande Duchesse for Toronto Operetta Theatre: an interview

Posted on October 9, 2026 by barczablog

Adanya Dunn is a singer I know from modern opera productions with companies such as Tapestry Opera, FAWN Chamber Creative or Against the Grain. I heard that the singer who was supposed to sing the title role in Toronto Operetta … Continue reading →

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Irresistible Traviata from Canadian Opera Company learning the lessons of Avis.

Posted on September 28, 2026 by barczablog

I feel fortunate that I had the privilege of seeing Verdi’s La Traviata today through the eyes of someone discovering the work for the first time, the Canadian Opera Company matinee at the Four Seasons Centre. When I arrived Erika … Continue reading →

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Guest blog: a Postcard from Bayreuth

Posted on August 28, 2026 by barczablog

This guest blog is written by Canadian Margarete Von Vaight: her Postcard from the 150th anniversary Bayreuth Festival. What happens when you travel to Bayreuth to see The Ring and discover there is no ring? No gold. No sword. No … Continue reading →

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Nebula Performances’ Artistic Director and co-founder, pianist Wenwen Du: an interview

Posted on August 8, 2026 by barczablog

It’s been fascinating to discover pianist Wenwen Du, who seems to be making a splash around the world as a collaborative pianist and as the artistic director of Nebula Performances. I found an amazing solo performance that she gave, playing … Continue reading →

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A Toronto Summer Music opening night celebration with Les Arts Florissants

Posted on July 10, 2026 by barczablog

Driving downtown to the concert Thursday night July 9th in Koerner Hall I drove through downpours, hearing of roads closed by local flooding. By the time I got there the weather had cleared up, an auspicious beginning: to the 2026 … Continue reading →

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Unprepared for Parḗlios

Posted on June 16, 2026 by barczablog

My review of Parḗlios? The headline says it. I was in the lobby at Theatre Passe Muraille early Sunday in anticipation of the closing performance of Parḗlios when I ran into Jennifer Nichols, who directed & choreographed the show, the … Continue reading →

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Multidimensional Michael Patrick Albano: an interview

Posted on May 20, 2026 by barczablog

Michael Patrick Albano is Associate Professor Emeritus with the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto, where you can see his bio and this photo: but that only tells you part of the story. Michael is resident Stage Director of the … Continue reading →

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