Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays

Authentic Encounters

Posted on September 7, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight I witnessed the first of the three performances of Encounters at the “Edge of the Woods” being presented at Hart House Theatre, a Storyweaving project in association with Hart House’s 100th Anniversary.  This is a worthy vehicle to commemorate … Continue reading →

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Birds of a Kind

Posted on September 1, 2019 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Birds of a Kind, a recent play by Wajdi Mouawad that received its English language premiere this month at the Stratford Festival’s studio theatre space. I was drawn to it by Ken Gass’s strong recommendation, and recalling my … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Macho mystery: Till Havs

Posted on August 21, 2019 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to a song since childhood even though I still don’t really know what it means. Imagine if the most impressive song you had ever heard was in a foreign language. So please picture the most impressive song … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The miraculous simplicity of Hearing Beethoven

Posted on August 14, 2019 by barczablog

I’m very grateful for the serendipity that led to Robin Wallace’s book even if the fate governing its creation is cruel indeed. A shy and short-sighted musicologist named Robin married a nurse named Barbara. She was losing her hearing.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New beginnings in snakeskin

Posted on July 27, 2019 by barczablog

It has been a week of new beginnings. Today was Benjamin Kidd’s ordination. As of Saturday July 27th he is no longer a student. I wonder if we’re now supposed to call him “Reverend Ben”? Perhaps that comes out as … Continue reading →

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Remembering Larry Earlix

Posted on July 11, 2019 by barczablog

It’s a day for sentimentality.  My mom’s had her birthday, which is of course a wonderful occasion: but I won’t talk about that here as it’s a bit too private for the blog. Yes Virginia there are things I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Operatic thought for Canada Day

Posted on June 29, 2019 by barczablog

Is it true that Alexander Neef, General Director of the Canadian Opera Company is headed back to Paris? Today I read Michael Vincent’s news report  via Ludwig-van.com that was a natural segue from the conversation I had with my companion … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Press Releases and Announcements | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

TSO & Gimeno: a question of leadership

Posted on June 29, 2019 by barczablog

Tonight was the first concert in the Toronto Symphony’s last weekend of the season, giving us a glimpse of their new music director Gustavo Gimeno. Will he come to be known as GG? While last week’s concert with Donald Runnicles … Continue reading →

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Boheme to close the deal

Posted on May 5, 2019 by barczablog

It’s that time of year when one considers renewing the opera subscription. Oh don’t get me wrong, I was going to renew it anyway. But the comment from the Mrs today was electric. She’s so glad to know that we’re … Continue reading →

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Robert Lepage’s 887 this time

Posted on May 4, 2019 by barczablog

Have you seen Robert Lepage’s 887? This show’s been all over the world. I missed the first Toronto incarnation in 2015 but saw it & raved about  it last time, brought to Toronto via Canadian Stage (one of the co-producers) … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments