Category Archives: Personal ruminations & essays

Pushing our buttons: Hadrian, Actéon, Pygmalion and erotic opera

Posted on October 12, 2018 by barczablog

Before there was pornography, there was always opera. Slavoj Zizek spoke of opera as redundant once we had psychiatrists, which is how he explains the decline in opera in the 20th century. But maybe there are other reasons opera wasn’t … Continue reading →

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Homecoming for Carsen’s Eugene Onegin

Posted on October 1, 2018 by barczablog

Better late than never, the Canadian Opera Company have premiered Robert Carsen’s Eugene Onegin, a production originally premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 1997. It’s a triumph of Canadian talent on all sides, from the sets & costumes by Michael … Continue reading →

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Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique & the fork in the recreational road

Posted on September 19, 2018 by barczablog

I’m responding as much to the serendipity of timing as anything else. Recreational marijuana becomes legal in Ontario next month. The Toronto Symphony are about to begin their 2018-19 season with Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique. Is there a connection? I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Wagner & Sibelius insights with Margarete von Vaight

Posted on September 13, 2018 by barczablog

There’s so much to know about some repertoire, a little flash of insight about this song or that role can get lost in the massive store-house of knowledge. It used to be said among my circle of friends at university … Continue reading →

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I Call myself Princess

Posted on September 12, 2018 by barczablog

I watched and listened to the second preview of I Call Myself Princess, Jani Lauzon’s impressive new play with opera, presented at Aki Studio in a collaboration between A Paper Canoe Projects, Cahoots Theatre and Native Earth Performing Arts. Genre … Continue reading →

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

Liszt’s Winterreise

Posted on September 8, 2018 by barczablog

After experiencing the 24 man deconstructed Winterreise from Tongue in Cheek Productions, I’ve had all that Schubert rattling around in my head the past couple of days. Given that I had to return a couple of books anyway, to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Pain in the neck

Posted on September 8, 2018 by barczablog

What is dignity if not a kind of self-respect.  You notice it most when it’s not there, perhaps taking it for granted otherwise. I got my hair cut on the way to a concert. In passing I want to make … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Kent Monkman—Miss Chief’s Praying Hands

Posted on August 23, 2018 by barczablog

Kent Monkman is back.  The show at Project Gallery is only on until September 1st, so see it while you can.   In 2017 “Shame and Prejudice: A Story of Resilience” was one of the highlights of the year.  This time it’s … Continue reading →

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Winterreise at Lula Lounge

Posted on August 21, 2018 by barczablog

On Wednesday, September 5, Tongue In Cheek Productions enters Toronto’s already-vibrant classical music scene with what promises to be an unforgettable inaugural concert. Twenty-four basses and baritones will join forces at Lula Lounge for a performance of Winterreise, Schubert’s iconic … Continue reading →

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The pain I felt reading Kathleen Turner’s interview

Posted on August 12, 2018 by barczablog

There’s a great deal in Kathleen Turner’s fascinating recent interview with David Marchese.  So naturally if you’re a beautiful actress people will react, comment, and draw their own conclusions about what’s really important. I find it desperately sad when I see what … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture, Psychology and perception | Tagged , , | 4 Comments