Category Archives: Opera

10 Questions for Lindsay Sutherland Boal

Posted on March 11, 2012 by barczablog

Trained as an operatic soprano, Lindsay Sutherland Boal began her career on Canadian and international stages singing the roles of the Countess in La Nozze di Figaro, Papagena in Die Zauberflöte, Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos and Madame Silkberklang in … Continue reading →

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Carlos: By Request

Posted on March 11, 2012 by barczablog

A singing teacher I know tells me that he always gives a speech to his students early on.  It’s about the math, the reality of having a career in opera, when there are so many people studying, so few actual … Continue reading →

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A contrasting pair

Posted on March 9, 2012 by barczablog

The Canadian Opera Company will be offering a pair of one act operas in their spring season that have some things in common. Both works are set in Florence. Both works are based on literature Both have a character named … Continue reading →

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COC Parsifal

Posted on February 25, 2012 by barczablog

Richard Wagner figures prominently in the Canadian Opera Company’s plans.  Two Wagner operas, not one were announced for the future. You may have missed any mention of the second opera.  The announcement of the 2012-2013 season (a year of world-wide … Continue reading →

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Beckett: Feck It!

Posted on February 23, 2012 by barczablog

I just saw Queen of Puddings Music Theatre’s production, in association with Canadian Stage, of Beckett: Feck It!  You hear a title like that and you may well wonder what they were thinking, what they were trying to say. I … Continue reading →

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Unexpected Tosca

Posted on February 17, 2012 by barczablog

Just when you think you know how a story will turn out –because it’s such a well-known opera—they throw you a curve.  There’s no drama quite like experiencing a work you think you know, where they’ve changed the usual ending. … Continue reading →

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Closing the Ring

Posted on February 12, 2012 by barczablog

I love it. When you’re writing about a great massive project it’s easy to be verbose, a lot harder to say something meaningful that’s brief, so let me get the most important part out of the way.  As I said: … Continue reading →

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Opera Atelier Lays Claim to a New Period

Posted on February 9, 2012 by barczablog

Opera Atelier announced their 2012-2013 season, a revival of Mozart’s Magic Flute and a new production of Weber’s Der Freischütz.  This time they’re trying something new. OA are remarkable in the way they build upon their strengths.  Over their quarter … Continue reading →

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Upwards

Posted on February 4, 2012 by barczablog

I’ve been trying to wrap my head around the images from Kaija Saariaho’s opera Amour de Loin in its Toronto production from the Canadian Opera Company as “Love from Afar“.  When I hit the publish button the other night to … Continue reading →

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From Afar

Posted on February 3, 2012 by barczablog

The love one encounters in Saariaho’s opera Love from Afar is not at all like the love most people think of when they use the word in the 21st century.  And while the work was composed recently employing very modern … Continue reading →

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