Category Archives: Reviews

Scappucci’s show: a Better Barber

Posted on January 20, 2020 by

The Canadian Opera Company have revived their production of Rossini’s Barber of Seville.  We saw it in 2015, a creation of the Spanish theatre troupe Els Comediants led by the team of director Joan Font & set/costume designer Joan Guillén. … Continue reading →

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To New York with Gershwin

Posted on January 14, 2020 by

Sometimes I have a fear of flying. I usually love the takeoff & normally sit by the window but when there’s turbulence I like to distract myself. On a trip to New York what better subject could one find than … Continue reading →

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Nukeface or “what are you looking at”?

Posted on January 14, 2020 by

I’m in New York to see Nukeface, at the Bodega Gallery in New York. More accurately I’m in New York because it’s a chance to see Zoe Barcza, my daughter. It’s exciting to get to see her and to see … Continue reading →

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Met HD Wozzeck

Posted on January 13, 2020 by

They say it’s a co-production, this new Wozzeck that was broadcast in High Definition this past weekend from the Metropolitan Opera: “A co-production of the Metropolitan Opera; Salzburg Festival; the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto; and Opera Australia.” The co-pro of … Continue reading →

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Lisztomania CD

Posted on December 30, 2019 by

Lisztomania? It was a Ken Russell film. And the name described an actual phenomenon, crazed admirers of the great pianist Franz Liszt aka Liszt Ferenc back in the 19th Century. And there’s a CD from Mikolaj Warszynski, capturing a live … Continue reading →

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TOT Gypsy Baron

Posted on December 29, 2019 by

The Toronto Operetta Theatre opened their new production of Johann Strauss Jr’s The Gypsy Baron tonight at the Jane Mallett Theatre with a full house in attendance for the first of five performances. It’s a very uneven production of a … Continue reading →

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Tribal Messiah

Posted on December 22, 2019 by

I’m trying to find the right word, so please bear with me. For someone who goes to see concerts & theatre more often than most people, you might never guess that I’m sometimes frustrated. My mantra is “I’m a lucky … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment