Category Archives: Reviews

Beethoven, Nielsen and Mozart: TSO & Jan Lisiecki

Posted on November 23, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight was the last of the mini-festival of three programs / five concerts from the Toronto Symphony ostensibly featuring the music of Carl Nielsen & two of his big influences, namely Mozart & Beethoven. It’s as though there were two … Continue reading →

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Maghan McPhee: Portrait

Posted on November 22, 2014 by barczablog

I missed seeing Carmen on Tap last summer, a version of Bizet’s masterpiece seen around the province (including Toronto) last summer. If I’d known that Maghan McPhee was in the show I would have made more of an effort to … Continue reading →

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Tapestry Briefs: Booster Shots

Posted on November 16, 2014 by barczablog

I took in Tapestry Opera’s latest experimental workshop “Tapestry Briefs: Booster Shots”. The title plays on a few influences: Because Tapestry lives in the so-called “Distillery District” we’re in a realm of booze, so it makes sense to be thinking … Continue reading →

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Ambitious Extensions of Us

Posted on November 14, 2014 by barczablog

This is one of those crazy weeks when it’s difficult to know what to see. I’m missing the opening concerts of Jan Lisiecki’s mini-festival with the Toronto Symphony, a gala concert from Aprile Millo and the opening of Tapestry Briefs: … Continue reading →

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Gerald Finley on the shelf

Posted on November 11, 2014 by barczablog

It’s November. October was Gerald Finley month in Toronto, as his Falstaff jumped up on the table that was our collective experience (and for the final scene of the opera). Don’t let the headline (“Finley on the shelf”) scare you, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Addio Butterfly

Posted on October 31, 2014 by barczablog

I saw the “A” cast of the Canadian Opera Company’s Madama Butterfly tonight. There are two singers undertaking Mrs Butterfly (or she might tell you “Mrs Pinkerton” if you were to ask her) in the cast, a pair of BF … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 13 Comments

Talisker Players: Songs of Travel

Posted on October 29, 2014 by barczablog

My own song of travel is not a purposeful one, but a bit of a spontaneous adventure. I hope I can be forgiven for meandering around this theme of wanderings. As of 6:00 p.m. I thought I was going to … Continue reading →

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Happy Halloween, Frankenstein’s Boy!

Posted on October 26, 2014 by barczablog

The song during the pre-show was a tip-off I suppose. While the title says the show is about a boy, this song says otherwise. And there it is, right on the poster. Eldritch Theatre’s newest is Frankenstein’s Boy, a classic … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 1 Comment

Opera Atelier Alcina

Posted on October 26, 2014 by barczablog

I’ve seen the new Opera Atelier Alcina. It’s been a month of opera-going in Toronto that already stands head and shoulders above any previous month. While occasional productions can be great, we can add this remarkable production of Handel’s opera … Continue reading →

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Continuum Souvenir

Posted on October 20, 2014 by barczablog

Continuum Contemporary Music are celebrating 30 years this season. I’m an admirer of ambitious projects, and they don’t get much bigger than this.  Jennifer Waring’s note in the program explains Souvenir, Continuum Contemporary Music’s collaboration with film-maker Gary Popovich presented … Continue reading →

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