Category Archives: Opera

COC Orfeo ed Euridice

Posted on May 9, 2011 by barczablog

Some subjects are so immense that the only way to put them onstage is by making them into opera.  Gluck‘s Orfeo ed Euridice takes on all the major topics—love, death and art –in a concise 90 minute plot.  They don’t … Continue reading →

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Two tunes

Posted on May 8, 2011 by barczablog

William Shookoff’s Opera By Request presented two short operas last night, I Pagliacci paired with Gianni Schicchi.   It’s an interesting pairing.  Once upon a time you’d encounter two verismo shockers (Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci), each ending with death and a … Continue reading →

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Ariadne in Toronto

Posted on May 1, 2011 by barczablog

The premiere of the new Canadian Opera Company production of Ariadne auf Naxos was  a dramatic occasion indeed.  Neil Armfield’s new production, handsomely designed by Dale Ferguson, was upstaged by some genuine drama. First, there was the return of Sir … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 6 Comments

La Cenerentola

Posted on April 29, 2011 by barczablog

The current Canadian Opera Company production of La Cenerentola brings me face to face with one of the great themes, and sorry if I am about to sound like your junior high English teacher.  While the opera probably can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 7 Comments

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 →

Posted in Essays, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays | Leave a comment

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