Category Archives: Politics

A conversation

Posted on June 7, 2014 by barczablog

One of the glories of travel is the encounter with the other. It’s fun to get to another country and talk to countrymen who just happen to be abroad. But that reminds me of the Accidental Tourist. Remember the film? … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Food, Health and Nutrition, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | 1 Comment

Louis Riel

Posted on May 17, 2014 by barczablog

When I was young there was a phrase used so often that it became a cliché, something to be joked about. What exactly was the “Canadian identity”, and –other than hockey or maple syrup –what was Canadian culture? As far … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Media Circus 2: CBC

Posted on May 17, 2014 by barczablog

I am trying to be hopeful about the changes to the CBC. It’s been reported that over 600 jobs are being cut, that the network will reduce its sports department in the wake of the highly publicized loss of Hockey … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Politics, Popular music & culture | 3 Comments

Pesky Porter raccoons

Posted on March 23, 2014 by barczablog

I had a conflict of interest, I’ll state it right off the bat.  I love flying to New York on Porter airlines.  As a resident of Scarborough it doesn’t make that much difference going to Billy Bishop Airport on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Art, Architecture & Design, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Leave a comment

Verdi’s Many Masks

Posted on January 25, 2014 by barczablog

The Canadian Opera Company open a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Un ballo in maschera next week.  It’s placed in a modern setting, one that might have you wondering whether Verdi’s instructions are being flouted by a directorial intervention.  But … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

My Person of the Year

Posted on December 17, 2013 by barczablog

I added “my” to the headline because otherwise a reader would assume I’m referencing the annual feature in Time Magazine. Given the usual content in this space you might expect me to pick a composer or a performer.  Pollyanna will … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Thinking about snobs, with Baz Luhrmann and Jay Gatsby

Posted on December 8, 2013 by barczablog

I’m thinking about two competing narratives lately, as I alluded at the beginning of my review of Singing the Earth.  Is transcendent activism possible? Nelson Mandela seems to say yes.  Rob Ford would agree, although he sees himself as an … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Singing the Earth: The Old & The New

Posted on December 6, 2013 by barczablog

Today is a day of contrasts.  The morning paper brought more revelations about Toronto’s Mayor, while this afternoon’s social media story was the passing of Nelson Mandela.  While Mandela seems to embody the possibilities for heroic activism nothing suggests that  … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

JFK: Choose your conspiracy

Posted on November 22, 2013 by barczablog

November 22nd?  It’s Saint Cecilia’s Day, the patron saint of music.  It’s Benjamin Britten’s birthday, which this year means his centennial. Okay, those are all in the fine print.  Written on my psyche since childhood?  November 22nd 1963.  Every other … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Civil Rites

Posted on November 12, 2013 by barczablog

It’s quite a bargain, this deal we’ve struck.  Any social contract is a trade-off, giving something to get something.  Nobody ever thinks about it, this amazing exchange, because it’s almost totally invisible, unless someone shines light on it, as they … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment