Category Archives: Opera

COC Carmen Opens

Posted on October 15, 2022 by barczablog

I saw and heard opening night of the Canadian Opera Company’s Carmen tonight at the Four Seasons Centre, a revival of Joel Ivany’s 2016 production. It’s a wonderful take on a well-known work with a very original approach to the … Continue reading →

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Ernesto and Luciano: similar yet different

Posted on October 8, 2022 by barczablog

It was forty years ago. I was in New York on my honeymoon, seeking a ticket to see the Metropolitan Opera (even a scalper if necessary). But I found tickets at the box office, 7th row (if my memory doesn’t … Continue reading →

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COC Flying Dutchman Opens

Posted on October 8, 2022 by barczablog

I saw and heard opening night of the Canadian Opera Company’s Flying Dutchman tonight at the Four Seasons Centre, a revival of a Christopher Alden production directed for this revival by Marilyn Gronsdal. I liked it a lot. The COC … Continue reading →

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Provocative TSO program: a glimpse of Gimeno

Posted on October 5, 2022 by barczablog

It’s fun getting to know the new music director of the Toronto Symphony, Gustavo Gimeno. I’m excited both by the programming and the performances. Assembling concerts involves a curating process, picking & choosing pieces for performance. Forgive me for repeating … Continue reading →

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Questions for Marilyn Gronsdal

Posted on September 27, 2022 by barczablog

Marilyn Gronsdal is an opera director whose work we’ve seen with the Canadian Opera Company, reviving productions premiered in earlier seasons. In 2019 the COC brought back Atom Egoyan’s 2015 Cosi fan tutte. I liked that 2019 version much better … Continue reading →

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The Drawing Room from Confluence

Posted on September 25, 2022 by barczablog

The Drawing Room is “a dialogue for three voices and a messenger,” Music by composer Ian Cusson, Text by André Alexis. Its 20 minutes of words & music concluded Confluence Concerts opener to their fifth season. It’s something like a … Continue reading →

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$50,000 Mécénat Musica Prix 3 Femmes 2022-23

Posted on September 13, 2022 by barczablog

******* “Press releases and announcements” are presented verbatim without comment

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Philip Glass: The Complete Piano Etudes

Posted on September 9, 2022 by barczablog

Do you compartmentalize? I ask because it’s common, a given in a modern life. Whether we’re speaking of the things we do for work-life balance, as part of an artistic discipline or simply to get through a busy day, it’s … Continue reading →

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Sarah Polley & Terry Gilliam, The Torturer’s Apprentice

Posted on August 31, 2022 by barczablog

Violence is everywhere these days. Excuse me for stating the obvious. I’ve recently seen an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus that plays with our imaginations, encouraging us to feel for the people getting hurt in the play. Sometimes it’s much … Continue reading →

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Tanya’s Secret

Posted on August 27, 2022 by barczablog

Tanya’s Secret, a queer-trans Onegin, is a new adaptation of Eugene Onegin by Opéra Queens, that opened tonight at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. Let’s begin by remembering Tchaikovsky’s original: a piece full of beautiful melodies, a few wonderful arias, several … Continue reading →

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