Category Archives: Reviews

Russia After Revolution

Posted on August 2, 2014 by barczablog

When Douglas McNabney –artistic director of  Toronto Summer Music Festival–programmed tonight’s concert, an evening of music that explores at least two compositions of the Soviet Era framed quaintly in the context of the Modernist experiment of the mid-20th Century– it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Leave a comment

Radvanovsky: Humble Servant

Posted on August 1, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight at Koerner Hall, Sondra Radvanovsky offered a self-portrait in her recital as part of Toronto Summer Music Festival. It’s not just a huge coup for TSM & Artistic Director Douglas McNabney, the highest profile artist to appear there this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

BOP Program B

Posted on July 26, 2014 by barczablog

My trip to Stratford is over, but the cycling singers of the Bicycle Opera Project are still there. By the time I post this they’ll have finished Saturday afternoon’s show. A pair of performances remain Sunday at Revel Caffè presented under the auspices … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 1 Comment

Bicycle Opera: Program A

Posted on July 25, 2014 by barczablog

Sometimes the writer recognizes that words are limited, that in the end “you had to be there” especially for something that’s more of an event or happening, than merely a conventional performance. It was never truer than this morning as … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Mother Courage

Posted on July 25, 2014 by barczablog

I just saw Seana McKenna tonight as Mother Courage aka Anna Fierling in Brecht’s play Mother Courage and Her Children, at the Tom Patterson Theatre until September 21st. It’s a horrible week in the news, between civilian planes being shot … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Emerson String Quartet’s Modern Age

Posted on July 23, 2014 by barczablog

The Emerson String Quartet kicked off Toronto Summer Music with a concert tonight. I’m sure some people were there to hear Beethoven’s Op 95 quartet, many more to hear Schubert’s “Death & the Maiden” quartet, while comparatively few were there … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

StageWorks Assassins

Posted on July 18, 2014 by barczablog

Tonight I saw opening night of StageWorks new production of Assassins, an occasion that any serious fan of the musical theatre form must celebrate.  The score by Stephen Sondheim is challenging. The material in John Weidman’s book is electrifying, and … Continue reading →

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

Late night reading

Posted on July 15, 2014 by barczablog

Whether it was a virus, a cold or summertime allergies isn’t the point. I’ve been awake at night, coughing, sneezing, blowing my nose, and otherwise trying not to be a nuisance to anyone unlucky enough to be under the same … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Confessions of an Operatic Mute

Posted on July 10, 2014 by barczablog

Briane Nasimok and I go way back. He rode with me in the ambulance that took me to hospital (can’t recall which one) when I fell and split my head open. By then I was of legal drinking age (which … Continue reading →

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

From the Closet

Posted on June 29, 2014 by barczablog

We were planning to watch the HBO production Behind The Candelabra (2013), the film about Liberace’s love affair that stars Michael Douglas & Matt Damon.  It’s not just a coincidence that it’s Pride Weekend.  I was so captivated by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Politics, Popular music & culture, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments