Category Archives: Opera

La Clemenza di Tito

Posted on April 23, 2011 by barczablog

Let’s say you’re a devoted fan of a particular art form, such as Shakespeare’s plays, Fellini’s films or Gaugin’s paintings.  Then imagine that suddenly someone discovers a masterpiece by your favourite.  Can you imagine the joy to suddenly encounter a … Continue reading →

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Mozart knew what he was doing

Posted on April 21, 2011 by barczablog

Yes I made a joke on my facebook status about the relevance of Mozart’s opera La Clemenza di Tito to anyone in a country uneasy about their government’s authoritarian tendencies, an ironic reference to Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove; Mozart’s opera might … Continue reading →

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La Traviata in concert

Posted on April 9, 2011 by barczablog

There’s no better affirmation of the power of a particular opera score than to see it performed in concert: or maybe that should be “hear” rather than “see”.  The only impact a designer has on such a performance is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

On a desert island…in Toronto.

Posted on April 1, 2011 by barczablog

There you are on a desert island, the place where what-if questions are always posited.  One is asked impossible hypotheticals, such as “If you were on a desert island, and you could only take one book, one DVD, one beverage, … Continue reading →

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Chopin at the Opera

Posted on March 30, 2011 by barczablog

There’s nothing quite like cinema to change your viewpoint.  Film has changed my perspective on Frederic Chopin more than once. I’d grown up with his music around me, aware of him almost from the beginning.  Anyone learning how to play … Continue reading →

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Opera York’s Cosi fan tutte in Richmond Hill

Posted on March 4, 2011 by barczablog

I just saw Opera York‘s Cosi fan tutte in their wonderful new home the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, a wonderful home for opera. The theatre has been open for over a year, but this was my first … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Opera, Reviews | 7 Comments

COC Nixon

Posted on February 25, 2011 by barczablog

Tonight I watched the Canadian Opera Company production of John Adams’ Nixon in China.  I saw the Met High Definition broadcast recently after acquiring the Naxos CD of the opera containing virtually the same cast as the one I saw … Continue reading →

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Opera, made in Canada

Posted on February 18, 2011 by barczablog

What’s so Canadian about the “Canadian Opera Company”? It probably never occurs to the average person to question.  The operas are usually written by long-dead Italians, Germans, the occasional Frenchman, and sometimes we get one in English.  Nobody objects to … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 3 Comments

Nixon on the Beach

Posted on February 13, 2011 by barczablog

  “Nixon on the Beach”? I saw the High Definition Metropolitan Opera broadcast of John Adams’ Nixon in China at the Beach Cinemas, my favourite Toronto theatre.  The Beach Cinemas actually have voicemail, and call you back with the most … Continue reading →

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If it’s Thursday it must be Zauberflöte

Posted on February 11, 2011 by barczablog

Last week I was watching the Canadian Opera Company Magic Flute on a Thursday, again tonight and even next week. I’m not complaining.  If this is a rut, I like it! But whereas last week I saw the so-called “A” … Continue reading →

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