Category Archives: Reviews

Magic Elixir

Posted on October 15, 2017 by barczablog

It’s my second consecutive opera involving a romantic beverage at the Four Seasons Centre with the Canadian Opera Company, and no I don’t mean what I was drinking. I can’t help comparing and contrasting Arabella, yesterday’s opera with The Elixir … Continue reading →

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Timely Arabella

Posted on October 15, 2017 by barczablog

Some compositions catch on right away, others take awhile to find an audience. I saw and enjoyed Arabella tonight in the Canadian Opera Company premiere production, the first time they’ve presented it: the sixth and last (premiered in 1933) in … Continue reading →

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Simon Callow Being Wagner

Posted on October 13, 2017 by barczablog

I’ve just devoured a new book, Simon Callow’s Being Wagner.   The University of Toronto’s excellent music library just acquired it, a new book with a 2017 copyright. The cover shows the sub-title “Triumph of the Will” which is likely apt, … Continue reading →

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Adizokan images

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

I’m adding a bit to what I posted last night. I can’t deny that my understanding of Adizokan is only partial.  I wanted to mention the dancers, namely Eddie Elliott, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Julie Pham, and Jera Wolfe, plus Michel Muniidobenese  … Continue reading →

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Adizokan

Posted on October 8, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight I was present for the premiere of Adizokan, a collaboration between Red Sky Performance and the Toronto Symphony as part of Canada 150. It was much easier surrendering to the sounds and sights of this multi-media multi-disciplinary work than … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments

A Joyous Welcome for Elisa Citterio

Posted on September 27, 2017 by barczablog

I’ve been on vacation for the past few weeks, taking a break from blogging. I had to miss some marvelous concerts last week such as Mychael Danna’s new piece with the TSO and Elisa Citterio’s debut as the new Music … Continue reading →

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Toronto Summer Stoicism

Posted on August 4, 2017 by barczablog

Summer festivals can be a challenge.  Bayreuth may be the ne plus ultra for Wagner but you sit on hard seats as your reward for having traveled around the world.  Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Festival concert (in Walter Hall, not … Continue reading →

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Jonathan Crow and Philip Chiu

Posted on August 1, 2017 by barczablog

Tonight’s Toronto Summer Music Concert featured violinist Jonathan Crow & pianist Philip Chiu. The first guy is the draw.  Jonathan Crow is the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s concertmaster, and in his first season as the artistic director of Toronto Summer Music … Continue reading →

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Canadian double delight

Posted on July 29, 2017 by barczablog

Rare as it may be to encounter a full evening of opera from Canadian composers, that’s what Summer Opera Lyric Theatre offered tonight in their season opener.  The Robert Gill Theatre was packed with a receptive crowd for a double … Continue reading →

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James Ehnes: a one-man show

Posted on July 18, 2017 by barczablog

This was the one I’ve been looking forward to for months, as James Ehnes played a full program of unaccompanied violin music in Koerner Hall.   I swear Ehnes played more notes than what he’d be required to play in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | 3 Comments