Category Archives: Reviews

Tcherniakov’s Wozzeck

Posted on February 26, 2014 by barczablog

Dmitri Tcherniakov is a brilliant young artist—just approaching his 44th birthday—who designs his own sets & costumes as well as directing his singers.  The DVD I just watched of Alban Berg’s opera Wozzeck was a co-pro. between the Bolshoi Theatre … Continue reading →

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ATMA Orlando

Posted on February 23, 2014 by barczablog

I’ve been listening to a recording that deserves recognition.  It’s an ATMA Classics recording of Handel’s Orlando.  Is anyone anywhere recording operas anymore?  Perhaps the question sounds a bit silly, but the health of the classical music industry has been … Continue reading →

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Saul

Posted on February 22, 2014 by barczablog

The biblical story of Saul is one of the most psychologically complex stories in the Old Testament.  Young David is a humble shepherd brought to soothe the troubled spirit of King Saul with his harp-playing.  Later David surprises everyone by … Continue reading →

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COC Ballo voices

Posted on February 21, 2014 by barczablog

Back on February 2nd (aka Groundhog Day: when the cowardly little varmints ran back into their little holes) I had a choice.  I could have gone to see the opening of the Canadian Opera Company’s Ballo in maschera, which purported … Continue reading →

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Ronnie Burkett—The Daisy Theatre

Posted on February 20, 2014 by barczablog

If “OuZooooonian” is Ronnie Burkett’s scary word for the dark place of judgment beyond the proscenium in Toronto there’s probably a comparable word in every other city. I am not sure which sort of virtuosity is most impressive. The brilliant … Continue reading →

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Accomplished Don

Posted on February 17, 2014 by barczablog

I think I recall seeing the trailer for Don Jon last summer.  It came & went, and now I’ve caught up with the Don on the small screen via pay per view. I recall having an argument with a director … Continue reading →

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Oshawa Opera Carmen

Posted on February 16, 2014 by barczablog

I had a look at Oshawa Opera today and liked what I saw and heard, as did the large and eager audience jammed into Kingsview United Church.  The space is an inviting one with a surprisingly good acoustic that surrounds … Continue reading →

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Thomas Allen—Songs of the Sea

Posted on February 13, 2014 by barczablog

Although today’s free noon-hour concert by Thomas Allen at the Richard Bradshaw Auditorium was titled “Songs of the Sea” the waters could have been the fountain of youth.  Allen is the biggest name singer currently appearing in the Canadian Opera … Continue reading →

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Opera in Concert Hippolyte et Aricie

Posted on February 3, 2014 by barczablog

Today I took the road less traveled. At the same time as the Canadian Opera Company opened their new production of Un ballo in maschera, in the afternoon before the Superbowl, Opera in Concert took us in a less popular … Continue reading →

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Her

Posted on January 27, 2014 by barczablog

It’s the shortest film title I’ve seen in awhile. Her It’s eerie just how much this film reminds me of the present and where we seem to be going.  Today, for instance, I was listening to Norah Young on Spark, … Continue reading →

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