Category Archives: Reviews

The Drawing Room from Confluence

Posted on September 25, 2022 by barczablog

The Drawing Room is “a dialogue for three voices and a messenger,” Music by composer Ian Cusson, Text by André Alexis. Its 20 minutes of words & music concluded Confluence Concerts opener to their fifth season. It’s something like a … Continue reading →

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Electrifying opener for Gimeno and TSO

Posted on September 22, 2022 by barczablog

Tonight’s concert by the Toronto Symphony was a fitting beginning to their centennial season, a genuinely celebratory evening. The program message from Music Director Gustavo Gimeno is very promising: “The creation of contrast is at the heart of what I … Continue reading →

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Mary Trump’s Reckoning

Posted on September 19, 2022 by barczablog

The title of the book is The Reckoning: Our Nation’s Trauma and Finding a Way to Heal. It’s to be understood as a reckoning for America, but perhaps also a personal one for the author. After watching the Royal Funeral … Continue reading →

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The Palace Papers: forbidden pleasures with Tina Brown

Posted on September 16, 2022 by barczablog

I find myself conflicted. I am not a royalist but I do admire Elizabeth. Tina Brown’s book The Palace Papers is brilliantly timed. Don Lemon mentioned her book during CNN’s coverage of Elizabeth’s passing and Charles ascension to the throne. … Continue reading →

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Uncle Vanya

Posted on September 12, 2022 by barczablog

The new version of Uncle Vanya, by Liisa Repo-Martell, directed by Crow’s Artistic Director, Chris Abraham works very well. I loved it. Chekhov can be a challenge, possibly because he’s often put on such a high pedestal, his name spoken … Continue reading →

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Preview of immersive Titus

Posted on August 31, 2022 by barczablog

I’ve just seen a preview of Who’s Afraid of Titus, Sky Gilbert’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s early play Titus Andronicus. They used the Red Sandcastle Theatre, a space associated with horror through proprietor Eric Woolfe and his Eldritch Theatre cohort. No … Continue reading →

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Gould’s Wall

Posted on August 6, 2022 by barczablog

Tapestry Opera have premiered Brian Current’s new site-specific work Gould’s Wall, an event that adds another layer to the association between the Royal Conservatory of Music and one of their most distinguished alumni Glenn Gould. I like it more than … Continue reading →

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Rebuilding Janise: Andrew Smith’s labour of love

Posted on July 24, 2022 by barczablog

The cover picture is a disturbing metaphor for its subject. In 1992 Andrew and Janise were married. This poem “What Once Was”, is by Andrew Smith, posted in July 2022 on Facebook. what once was; is so long ago.two fools, … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Food, Health and Nutrition, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Psychology and perception, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Scary Dead Broke

Posted on July 11, 2022 by barczablog

I saw Will King’s darkly comic Dead Broke today at the Toronto Fringe. I was blown away by King’s first play From the Water in December 2018, amazingly good for a first play. This one is better, unfolding in a … Continue reading →

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TSO + Rajaton = ABBA

Posted on June 30, 2022 by barczablog

This week the Toronto Symphony under their pops conductor Steven Reineke presented three concerts of the music of ABBA featuring Rajaton, the Finnish vocal ensemble. While they describe themselves as an a cappella ensemble –singing their vocals accompanied—it was electrifying … Continue reading →

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