Category Archives: Opera

Questions of identity

Posted on May 11, 2014 by barczablog

Do you know who you are? Today’s performance of the Canadian Opera company production of Roberto Devereux  at the Four Seasons Centre seemed like an investigation of identity. For one thing, there’s the opera’s plot, which concerns Elizabeth I and … Continue reading →

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Quixotic Ride

Posted on May 10, 2014 by barczablog

On Thursday May 22nd Stephen R. Clarke will be lecturing on “Chaliapin: A Portrait in Recordings” as part of the Canadian Opera Company‘s free noon-hour lecture series.  I wonder if Clarke will play any examples from Massenet’s Don Quichotte?  Unfortunately … Continue reading →

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

Ernesto Ramirez to sing Roberto Devereux

Posted on May 7, 2014 by barczablog

The Canadian Opera Company scheduled seven performances of Roberto Devereux.  The COCassigned the first three performances to Leonardo Capalbo in the title role, and he did a marvelous job from what i saw & heard. Giuseppe Filianoti was scheduled to … Continue reading →

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Synesthesia III

Posted on May 4, 2014 by barczablog

Synesthesia III was a collaboration initiated by FAWN Opera, who reached out to The Seventh Art.  We saw a series of films with –mostly– live original music.  FAWN found the composers & organized the –mostly–live performance, while The Seventh Art … Continue reading →

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10 Questions for Amanda Smith

Posted on May 1, 2014 by barczablog

Amanda Smith is Artistic Director & Resident Stage Director of FAWN Opera, a new company I’ve recently seen for the first time.  In the middle of April they presented l’Homme et le Ciel a new opera in progress (review).  Her … Continue reading →

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Back for More Moore, Bacon (and Brandt)

Posted on April 29, 2014 by barczablog

Today I revisited the AGO show “Francis Bacon Henry Moore Terror and Beauty” (or FBHM for short) that I wrote about at the beginning of April.  I’m on holiday today even if it’s a rainy spring day.  I saw the … Continue reading →

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Perfecting Persée

Posted on April 28, 2014 by barczablog

This morning I wondered, hm will I have anything to say?  This is Opera Atelier’s third Persée this millennium.  And now I have so much to say that I’ll probably have to split it into at least two separate posts.  … Continue reading →

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10 questions for Margarete von Vaight

Posted on April 26, 2014 by barczablog

Serendipity is a funny thing. A few days ago Canadian heldentenor Ben Heppner announced his retirement from singing after one of the most extraordinary careers.  At the exact same time, I’ve been talking to Canadian soprano Margarete von Vaight, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged | 7 Comments

Radvanovsky’s Theatrical Elizabeth

Posted on April 26, 2014 by barczablog

The opera is called Roberto Devereux but don’t let that throw you.  The reason we’re there, the reason to see the Canadian Opera Company production of that aforementioned opera is for another character, namely Elisabetta, aka Queen Elizabeth. It’s a … Continue reading →

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Old with New

Posted on April 25, 2014 by barczablog

I was challenged to explain & even to defend something I love.  It was my second time seeing the Canadian Opera Company Hercules, accompanied by someone who prefers Puccini to Handel. Why this old story in modern dress?  Or rather, … Continue reading →

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