Category Archives: Opera

The Overcoat: a musical tailoring

Posted on March 30, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen the premiere of a new opera from James Rolfe & Morris Panych adapting Gogol’s story “The Overcoat”. There’s much to admire, and frankly I feel like saying “it’s about time.” Opera is often bogged down in virtuoso … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Davies’ Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Posted on March 26, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Victor Davies’ adaptation of George Ryga’s 1967 play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, a very faithful treatment of Ryga’s work, the world premiere production in Toronto. As a result we’re in a funny place culturally with this … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Politics, Reviews | 3 Comments

Sirett, Koniuk & Oriana: romance on the road

Posted on March 11, 2018 by barczablog

This weekend I went out of town to see a concert while processing this weekend’s great tempo rubato. Daylight Savings Time appropriates an hour from our lives that will only be given back half a year from now. I figured … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Leave a comment

Questions for Victor Davies: The Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Posted on March 7, 2018 by barczablog

Victor Davies is a Canadian composer whose work I have previously encountered in Toronto productions. His adaptation of Wilde’s comedy (in partnership with librettist Eugene Benson), called Earnest, The Importance of Being came to Toronto Operetta Theatre in 2015 (originally … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera, Politics, University life | 1 Comment

Incendies, Scorched & the Seraglio

Posted on February 28, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Denis Villeneuve’s Oscar nominated film adaptation of Wajdi Mouawad’s play Incendies. I’m looking forward to seeing a translation of the play presented here in Toronto next week, titled Scorched. I couldn’t miss the parallels to what we … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Politics, University life | 3 Comments

Vanderdecken among the zombies: Wajdi Mouawad’s Abduction

Posted on February 25, 2018 by barczablog

I had a second look & listen to Wajdi Mouawad’s Abduction from the Seraglio,  my second time coming in the closing performance of the run with the Canadian Opera Company at the Four Seasons Centre. I wanted to reflect on what … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, University life | 5 Comments

Questions for Geoffrey Sirett – The Overcoat: A Musical Tailoring

Posted on February 24, 2018 by barczablog

Sometimes interviews are a pretext to get closer to someone you’ve admired for awhile, watching their development as an artist. Oh sure, I’m interviewing Geoffrey Sirett because he’s about to star in the Canadian Stage – Tapestry Opera—Vancouver Opera co-production … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | 1 Comment

Know Thyself, a lesson from Jane Archibald

Posted on February 21, 2018 by barczablog

Today I sat in a very good seat to hear Jane Archibald sing and she sang very well.  I am a very lucky guy. She doesn’t need my review to validate her (ha, but then does any artist?). This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Leave a comment

Abduction via Mouawad

Posted on February 11, 2018 by barczablog

It’s another new Canadian Opera Company production where my first impulse is to credit the brass running the COC. But in a week when the big news for North American opera was the second artistic directorship undertaken by Alexander Neef, … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Rigoletto reboot

Posted on January 28, 2018 by barczablog

I like the Canadian Opera Company’s Rigoletto, directed by Christopher Alden, starring Roland Wood, Anna Christy and Stephen Costello. Everyone I’ve talked to enthuses about the singing. Ah but I like the production, and I say this, aware (via social … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 8 Comments