Category Archives: Reviews

Mixie and the Halfbreeds

Posted on April 8, 2018 by barczablog

My visit to the eye doctor today reminds me that when all’s said and done I must look at the world through my own lens. I was at the theatre tonight to see Mixie and the Halfbreeds by Julie Tamiko … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Politics, Reviews | Leave a comment

Tafelmusik Bach Mass in B Minor

Posted on April 6, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight I heard the first of five performances to be given of JS Bach’s Mass in B Minor by Tafelmusik (four at Jeanne Lamon Hall in Trinity St Paul’s Centre, April 5-8 inclusive, and one more at the George Weston … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 6 Comments

The Overcoat: a musical tailoring

Posted on March 30, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen the premiere of a new opera from James Rolfe & Morris Panych adapting Gogol’s story “The Overcoat”. There’s much to admire, and frankly I feel like saying “it’s about time.” Opera is often bogged down in virtuoso … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Davies’ Ecstasy of Rita Joe

Posted on March 26, 2018 by barczablog

I’ve just seen Victor Davies’ adaptation of George Ryga’s 1967 play The Ecstasy of Rita Joe, a very faithful treatment of Ryga’s work, the world premiere production in Toronto. As a result we’re in a funny place culturally with this … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Politics, Reviews | 3 Comments

Jaws live with the TSO: not the same

Posted on March 24, 2018 by barczablog

Every time I’ve seen one of these live Toronto Symphony showings of a classic film + film-score, I’ve had some remarkable experiences complete with insights, and tonight’s showing of Jaws was no different. The phrase that keeps running through my … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Paint Me a Song: three cycles for three painters. 

Posted on March 20, 2018 by barczablog

CASP, the Canadian Art Song Project, regularly undertake ambitious programs to push the possibilities of their medium.  To begin tonight’s concert, “Paint Me a Song”, Co-artistic Director Steven Philcox gave some insight into the creation of our program. Curating and commissioning … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Sirett, Koniuk & Oriana: romance on the road

Posted on March 11, 2018 by barczablog

This weekend I went out of town to see a concert while processing this weekend’s great tempo rubato. Daylight Savings Time appropriates an hour from our lives that will only be given back half a year from now. I figured … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Leave a comment

Scorched by Mouawad

Posted on March 8, 2018 by barczablog

Tonight I completed my Wajdi Mouawad trilogy.  Last month I saw his production of Abduction from the Seraglio at the Canadian Opera Company twice, last week I saw Denis Villeneuve’s film Incendies, adapted from the play that I saw tonight. … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Politics, Reviews, University life | 2 Comments

Lang Lang: apprentices among the sorcerers

Posted on March 2, 2018 by barczablog

The great piano virtuoso Lang Lang came to Roy Thomson Hall tonight to play with the Toronto Symphony. Because he’s suffering from tendinitis the program was changed to include his young protégé. Lang Lang & Maxim Lando played a series … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Churchill – Darkest Hour

Posted on February 26, 2018 by barczablog

2017 may be remembered as a year that two movies gave us detailed portraits of Winston Churchill. Darkest Hour is the one you’re probably aware of, starring Gary Oldman in an Oscar-nominated performance.  But I stumbled on another one with … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Reviews | Leave a comment