Category Archives: Opera

No Forbidden Questions as Aaron & Michael talk about Verbotenlieder

Posted on December 6, 2018 by barczablog

Aaron Durand + Michael Nyby = Tongue in Cheek Productions. No that’s not a formula but come to think of it there is a curious creative chemistry, a tendency to energize. I find it exciting to talk to them, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Who do you love?

Posted on December 1, 2018 by barczablog

When the phrase popped into my head (spoken), I was thinking of Tchaikovsky. But immediately I heard Ronnie Hawkins’ song in my head. When I heard this near the start of The Last Waltz, and come to think of it, closer … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Opera 5 –Open Chambers

Posted on December 1, 2018 by barczablog

Walter Pater famously said “all art constantly aspires to the condition of music”.  But did anyone bother to ask “what then does music aspire to”?  Does music seek to be something more, or should it perhaps be content to be … Continue reading →

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No stranger

Posted on November 29, 2018 by barczablog

Two photographs by Bruce Zinger from the “Opera Atelier Takes Canada to the World” campaign show Artists of Atelier Ballet and OA dancer Tyler Gledhill as their “Canadian Icon in Red”. Between the glimpses of Chicago or Versailles which is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

BOUND v. 2: power struggles

Posted on November 20, 2018 by barczablog

Against the Grain Theatre premiered version two of BOUND at The Great Hall on Queen St W or as Joel Ivany called it “an ongoing process”.  I didn’t see version 1, and perhaps this summer or next year there will … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Space Opera Zero

Posted on November 17, 2018 by barczablog

When I write about the shows I see I’m sometimes overwhelmed by envy, wishing it were me who’s up there singing or playing. We’re never more alive than when we’re dying onstage. And so I’ll often toss off these spontaneous … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Steffani: more devotion than drama

Posted on November 9, 2018 by barczablog

I am grateful for the gift of a new voice, a new composer introduced to me by Tafelmusik, Ivars Taurins, and Krisztina Szabo. It’s truly a magical thing. I was pondering the experience of classical music, how so much of … Continue reading →

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Closing matinée for Onegin

Posted on November 4, 2018 by barczablog

This afternoon’s late matinée at 4:30 pm was the final performance for Eugene Onegin in the Canadian Opera Company’s fall season. Weekend audiences can be a bit of a challenge especially in the afternoon. Oh sure, we’re all relaxed in … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Centre Stage 2018: a Night of Voices

Posted on November 2, 2018 by barczablog

There are several ways to watch the annual Centre Stage competition, when young singers vie for a series of awards while seeking places in the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio. You can watch & listen to the competitors, eight young … Continue reading →

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Maria by Callas at TIFF

Posted on October 31, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight I saw Tom Volf’s 2017 documentary Maria by Callas at TIFF. With the exception of a brief interview with her singing teacher Elvira de Hidalgo, the film is entirely an account of Maria Callas in her own words, that … Continue reading →

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