Category Archives: Reviews

COC Ensemble Studio Competition

Posted on November 30, 2012 by barczablog

As I drove downtown this morning, one track seemed very apt for an evening featuring the Canadian Opera Company’s second annual studio competition. Michael Slattery’s CD of Dowland songs –reimagined to explore his alleged Irish connection—concludes with a melancholy song … Continue reading →

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Roméo et Juliette 2008

Posted on November 26, 2012 by barczablog

I watched TFO’s broadcast of a live performance of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, from a 2008 Salzburg production. There was a bit of drama backstage, with Anna Netrebko’s cancellation, replaced by the unknown Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze.  Machaidze was only … Continue reading →

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Mrs Lincoln

Posted on November 25, 2012 by barczablog

In the latest Canadian Opera Company podcast, we were asked about the way women are used and abused in opera. As soon as the question was posed, and no one else started to speak, I seized the opportunity, to launch … Continue reading →

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Quilico’s Rigoletto

Posted on November 24, 2012 by barczablog

Some artists have an abundant recorded legacy, while others are curiously under-represented.  At times I find this irritating, because I suspect it’s more a reflection of market forces than an indication of real quality. I believe if Louis Quilico had … Continue reading →

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Perović’s Incidental Music

Posted on November 21, 2012 by barczablog

There’s a line in Lydia Perović’s new novel Incidental Music that has so far stayed with me like a motif. Roughly a quarter of the way into the book, Petra & Martha, two of the main characters start chatting, having … Continue reading →

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Classical Quartets from a trio of teenagers

Posted on November 19, 2012 by barczablog

Windermere String Quartet (“WSQ”), an ensemble playing classical repertoire on period instruments, offered a remarkable concert this afternoon.   WSQ are comprised of Rona Goldensher– violin, Elizabeth Loewen Andrews– violin, Anthony Rapoport– viola, and Laura Jones– cello. It’s such a simple … Continue reading →

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Adès, Oakes, Lepage

Posted on November 16, 2012 by barczablog

Watching and hearing the Metropolitan Opera high definition broadcast of The Tempest, I wonder “whose” Tempest to call it. If you listen to Joseph Kerman—who says the composer is the dramatist–you’d say it belongs to Thomas Adès: the composer A … Continue reading →

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TSO November 14th

Posted on November 15, 2012 by barczablog

I was fortunate to attend the Toronto Symphony Orchestra concert tonight, thanks to the kindness of my friend Bill Denning.  It was the first time I’ve seen them in a few years, and my first encounter with Peter Oundjian, their … Continue reading →

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Hannigan as Lulu

Posted on November 13, 2012 by barczablog

I have been watching Barbara Hannigan’s one-of-a-kind interpretation of Lulu in Berg’s opera from a production at La Monnaie, streamed online.  As far as I can tell it will be available until the 28th of this month.  Enjoy it while … Continue reading →

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TOC Fidelio

Posted on November 11, 2012 by barczablog

Toronto Opera Collaborative is an ensemble comprised of emerging artists.  As the pool of Canadian talent continues to grow, singers must either compete for the few available roles, or in groups such as TOC create their own opportunities to show … Continue reading →

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