Category Archives: Opera

When The Sun Comes Out

Posted on June 27, 2014 by barczablog

On the occasion of World Pride in Toronto, Queer Innovative Theatre has brought Leslie Uyeda’s recent opera When The Sun Comes Out to Toronto for two performances at the intimate Ernest Balmer Studio. If you’ve read about it you’ve probably … Continue reading →

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AtG Pelléas et Mélisande

Posted on June 22, 2014 by barczablog

Against the Grain have done it again. Their outdoor production of Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande is highly original, illuminating the opera is several unforgettable ways.  Joel Ivany’s director’s note in the program says “Upon getting to know this opera, it … Continue reading →

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Ideal Pelléas

Posted on June 15, 2014 by barczablog

It may be redundant to speak of an ideal Pelléas et Mélisande. The work is symbolist, which means it’s by definition a kind of ideal work. And notice I did not say “An” or “The” ideal Pelléas. It was “Ideal … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Pilgrimage to Jussi Björling Museet

Posted on June 14, 2014 by barczablog

One of the first things I ask students in my opera course is whether they think more in terms of a favourite opera, or a favourite singer, as it’s a medium that can be understood in at least these two … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera | 6 Comments

Richard Wagner: A Life in Music

Posted on June 14, 2014 by barczablog

I just finished Martin Geck’s Richard Wagner: A Life in Music in Stewart Spencer’s 2013 translation. Published only in 2012 as Richard Wagner: Biografie you can judge for yourself how good this book must be, that its translation was pushed … Continue reading →

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Dueling ear-worms: surrender and adventure

Posted on June 6, 2014 by barczablog

It ís Friday, a national holiday I am told. Does it matter why? People need to celebrate, and yes, people sometimes need to rest. I didn’t realize how tired I was. I boarded the plane Wednesday night in Toronto. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion | 1 Comment

Yapping dog

Posted on June 6, 2014 by barczablog

I m far away. Far from home. Far from work.  I’m on vacation, musing about where this compulsive blogging fits in. Everything in a blog is necessarily about the person writing. Sure, the topic may be foreign cars or foreign … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Music and musicology, Opera, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon

Posted on May 31, 2014 by barczablog

This afternoon I had the pleasure of watching the new Norbert Palej opera from the Canadian Children’s Opera Company: East o’ the Sun and West o’ the Moon with libretto by K T Bryski. It is a traditional folk tale … Continue reading →

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10 questions for Brian Current

Posted on May 29, 2014 by barczablog

Next week Soundstreams present Brian Current’s opera Airline Icarus, touching down in Toronto at Ada Slaight Hall. Current’s music has been performed across North America and abroad by the Esprit Orchestra, the American Composers Orchestra (Carnegie Hall), the Oakland Symphony, … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | 1 Comment

Second time lucky

Posted on May 23, 2014 by barczablog

Presented with more or less identical performances on two different occasions, what is it exactly that can make one so different from the other? Where I whined & complained the first time, I had a wonderful experience seeing the Canadian … Continue reading →

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