Category Archives: Opera

Disturbance in the Force: a Natural Experiment with Audiences

Posted on June 13, 2020 by barczablog

With all the performers, musicians, artists social distancing at home, you might think that this is an opportunity, that they’d be busy singing, strumming, painting…. All that time to create, right? Yet it’s not what I hear on social media. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

COC General Director Responds

Posted on June 13, 2020 by barczablog

COC GENERAL DIRECTOR RESPONDS TO MEDIA REPORTS OF AN EARLY DEPARTURE FOR PARIS Toronto – In response to recent media speculation out of France that COC General Director Alexander Neef plans on exiting his role with the Canadian Opera Company … Continue reading →

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Whither Canadian Opera Company: after Neef

Posted on June 11, 2020 by barczablog

Did you know? The first ever Monty Python episode was titled Whither Canada. I suspect it’s a title meant to invoke the sort of bland but innocent British documentary we see here in Canada as “Hinterland Who’s Who” or “Heritage … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Sports | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Musical Gentrification

Posted on May 25, 2020 by barczablog

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got lots of time to think, to ponder questions old & new. One of my oldest questions is the conundrum of popularity in music. It’s a complicated phenomenon, and I’m not saying I … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lepage’s Coriolanus: a video sandwich

Posted on May 1, 2020 by barczablog

There’s a particular magic to live theatre that you can almost glimpse in an online transmission, but it’s not really the same, not quite so magical. When I see Coriolanus get into a car onstage that seems to drive into … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

TOT Pinafore

Posted on March 8, 2020 by barczablog

Last night’s HMS Pinafore from Toronto Operetta Theatre was a reminder of what they do best. For some works there is a kind of social contract at work, a simple plan that begins with the music and the words. If … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Leaning into the Unknowable @nationalballet

Posted on March 2, 2020 by barczablog

As I consider renewing my Canadian Opera Company subscription, it was worth having a look at the other company occupying the Four Seasons Centre. Watching the new program at the National Ballet of Canada was a great way to spend … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Truth in the Park

Posted on February 29, 2020 by barczablog

I saw A Nice Day in the Park, a new one-act play written, directed & starring Sky Gilbert, from Lunch-on-the-run productions presented at Chez BonBon. There’s another performance Saturday before they “take it on the road”, wherever that might be. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Jacqueline

Posted on February 20, 2020 by barczablog

Tonight a rapturous audience welcomed the world premiere of Jacqueline, a new opera from Tapestry Opera at the Betty Oliphant Theatre. It’s a deceptively simple piece exploring the relationship of cellist Jacqueline du Pré and her instrument. She was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Not #MeToo

Posted on February 14, 2020 by barczablog

I’m upset. It’s not that I’m having a bad day. I just keep hearing news that’s upsetting. Two very different women I knew, each an avatar of female strength, have passed away. I met each of them, knew them very … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment