Category Archives: Opera

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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Five composers in two days? If it’s Sunday it must be bel canto romance

Posted on May 19, 2026 by barczablog

I feel like an operatic sausage. I’m stuffed a lot into this post, having jammed too much opera into my head in a brief period of time. Talk about contrast! Saturday was the closing performance of the Lepage Bluebeard-Erwartung double … Continue reading →

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Interviewing Don Giovanni’s women

Posted on May 13, 2026 by barczablog

On May 22nd the new Benevolence Opera Project, who present opera both as entertainment and as a platform for social engagement collaborate with Redwood Theatre to present Don Giovanni in a benefit supporting Redwood Women’s Shelter. I asked Holly Chaplin … Continue reading →

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Witnessing the birth of romanticism with young Werther

Posted on May 10, 2026 by barczablog

Excuse me as I gush. I love the new Canadian Opera Company production of Werther, featuring some of the best singing we’ve heard in years. I want people to come see this opera, so that the COC decides to do … Continue reading →

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Ernesto Ramirez’s reflections on singing, preparing for his upcoming concert: an interview with a great singer

Posted on May 2, 2026 by barczablog

I am a big fan of Ernesto Ramirez and his beautiful tenor voice. I’ve seen him sing several times. The voice has a memorable sound, indeed the ideal colour for the Italian bel canto repertoire. He is a singer of … Continue reading →

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The ambiguous virtuosity of La Maupin

Posted on April 30, 2026 by barczablog

La Maupin is the title of a new opera produced on film concerning a mythological person of ambiguous gender who may have existed. The historical figure is so interesting, you’d have to invent someone like this if she were not … Continue reading →

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Benevolence Opera Project & Redwood Theatre Present Don Giovanni Benefit Supporting Redwood Women’s Shelter

Posted on April 17, 2026 by barczablog

Benevolence Opera Project & Redwood Theatre Present Don Giovanni A One-Night-Only Opera Event Supporting the Redwood Women’s Shelter, Toronto. Benevolence Opera Project and Redwood Theatre are proud to present a special, one-night-only one-of-a-kind performance of Don Giovanni, featuring Canadian Baritone … Continue reading →

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