Category Archives: Opera

10 Questions for Krisztina Szabó

Posted on April 13, 2015 by barczablog

My stereotype of Krisztina Szabó is inaccurate of course. My questions may have made her laugh, even though she’s too polite to send me packing. In cobbling together a few questions –concerning a pair of 20th century compositions—I was far … Continue reading →

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

Graceful Orpheus will move you

Posted on April 12, 2015 by barczablog

I can’t think of a performing arts troupe with a more recognizable style than Opera Atelier. For the first twenty years of their existence (give or take a few seasons), they straight-jacketed themselves with the idea of authenticity, portraying themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

10 Questions for Alek Shrader

Posted on April 9, 2015 by barczablog

It can be embarrassing when you don’t realize you’ve already seen / heard an artist before.  I didn’t realize I’d seen Alek Shrader before, in his impressive turn as Ferdinand in Adès’s Tempest at the Metropolitan Opera. So in other … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 1 Comment

What does this Requiem do? Ivany meets Mozart

Posted on April 2, 2015 by barczablog

The calendar reminds us of the relationship of our society and religion.  This week is one of those times of year when people may make their only annual visit to a church or synagogue, while those who are regular attendees or church … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Louise in Concert

Posted on March 30, 2015 by barczablog

Concert performances of opera can be a wonderful alternative considering the expense of fully staged productions. Works that would otherwise rarely see the light of day –such as Rossini’s William Tell (hard to sing) or Benjamin’s Written on Skin (recently  composed) —are … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Opera Lyra’s Marriage of Figaro

Posted on March 22, 2015 by barczablog

As the climax of their thirtieth season Opera Lyra present Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, beginning with tonight’s opening performance.  This is an opera company that has come back from the brink, bouncing back from financial difficulty with a series … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

10 Questions for John Brancy

Posted on March 19, 2015 by barczablog

John Brancy? A young baritone who genuinely seems to be on the verge of an exciting career.  I’ve never seen him in person, just through the miracle of modern technology.  He’s more than just a pretty voice & a handsome … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 1 Comment

10 Questions for Mireille Lebel

Posted on March 19, 2015 by barczablog

Mireille Lebel is reliving that classic Canadian phenomenon, a singer missed at home while she’s off in Europe making a name for herself, most recently at Theater Erfurt, Theater Basel and Opéra Théatre de Metz, adding role after important role … Continue reading →

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

Postcard from Morocco

Posted on March 15, 2015 by barczablog

If identity is performative, a mere construct that we enact, the demonstration of such notions would be wonderful material for the theatre.  And so it is when we come to Dominick Argento’s 1971 opera Postcard from Morocco, currently on offer … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews, University life | 1 Comment

Toronto Symphony hospitable to Noseda and Pieczonka

Posted on March 13, 2015 by barczablog

It was a rare performance by the Toronto Symphony tonight, inspired by guest conductor Gianandrea Noseda and the presence of soprano Adrianne Pieczonka. I can’t recall the last time they played with so much commitment, going back over decades of … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 6 Comments