Category Archives: Opera

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

Questions for Sara Schabas: Canadian premieres of two Jake Heggie operas

Posted on January 26, 2018 by barczablog

Canadian soprano Sara Schabas is the founder of the Electric Bond Opera Ensemble, a group that aims to present classical and operatic works that tell untold stories, reminding audiences and performers of the “electric bond of being” (Thomas Huxley) by … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 1 Comment

Opera by Request—Salome

Posted on January 21, 2018 by barczablog

The concept is exactly as it sounds.  If you’re a singer wanting to do a role, Opera by Request is the place for you.  William Shookhoff is a busy man, the pianist & music director responsible for making those requests … Continue reading →

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Extra Questions for John Allemang

Posted on January 16, 2018 by barczablog

I went to a small school where hero-worship was natural, given that we were all boys (that changed as they admitted girls for the first time in the very year I left, and yes I wish it had been sooner).  … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 3 Comments

Canadian Premieres of Jake Heggie Holocaust Operas

Posted on January 5, 2018 by barczablog

New Company Stages Canadian Premieres of Jake Heggie Holocaust Operas in Partnership with North America’s Largest Conservative Jewish Congregation Another Sunrise​ and ​Farewell, Auschwitz​ to be staged by the Electric Bond Opera Ensemble at Beth Tzedec TORONTO – The Electric Bond … Continue reading →

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Questions for Derek Bate

Posted on December 19, 2017 by barczablog

Derek Bate has impacted different aspects of the musical life of Toronto, known both for music-theatre & opera. A one time Chorus Master of the Canadian Opera Company, Derek was in the pit for the original Toronto Production of Les … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera | 1 Comment

TIFT Candide

Posted on December 3, 2017 by barczablog

While 2017 was a year to celebrate Canada’s 150th, we’re now coming up on the 100th birthday of Leonard Bernstein.  Whether you pronounce it Bern–steen or Bern-stine, the composer, pianist & conductor was born in 1918, which means that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Musik für das Ende

Posted on November 4, 2017 by barczablog

I’m late coming to the party, seeing something near the end of its run. After seeing Musik für das Ende tonight at the beautiful Guloien Theatre, one of the spaces at Streetcar Crowsnest, Crow’s Theatre’s new facility, I had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 4 Comments

Centre Stage 2017

Posted on November 2, 2017 by barczablog

They keep fine-tuning the format for the Canadian Opera Company’s Centre Stage Gala, the competition & celebration of the Ensemble Studio, now in its fifth year as a gala, seventh as a singing competition. I would say this was the … Continue reading →

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