Category Archives: Reviews

Two tunes

Posted on May 8, 2011 by barczablog

William Shookoff’s Opera By Request presented two short operas last night, I Pagliacci paired with Gianni Schicchi.   It’s an interesting pairing.  Once upon a time you’d encounter two verismo shockers (Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci), each ending with death and a … Continue reading →

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Orange signage

Posted on May 2, 2011 by barczablog

When the opera’s on at 4:30, it makes for some intriguing possibilities, such as dinner after the show. When the dinner is chez Edward Levesque’s Kitchen the meal may be as operatic as what came before.  While the food may … Continue reading →

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Ariadne in Toronto

Posted on May 1, 2011 by barczablog

The premiere of the new Canadian Opera Company production of Ariadne auf Naxos was  a dramatic occasion indeed.  Neil Armfield’s new production, handsomely designed by Dale Ferguson, was upstaged by some genuine drama. First, there was the return of Sir … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 6 Comments

La Cenerentola

Posted on April 29, 2011 by barczablog

The current Canadian Opera Company production of La Cenerentola brings me face to face with one of the great themes, and sorry if I am about to sound like your junior high English teacher.  While the opera probably can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 7 Comments

La Clemenza di Tito

Posted on April 23, 2011 by barczablog

Let’s say you’re a devoted fan of a particular art form, such as Shakespeare’s plays, Fellini’s films or Gaugin’s paintings.  Then imagine that suddenly someone discovers a masterpiece by your favourite.  Can you imagine the joy to suddenly encounter a … Continue reading →

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Mozart knew what he was doing

Posted on April 21, 2011 by barczablog

Yes I made a joke on my facebook status about the relevance of Mozart’s opera La Clemenza di Tito to anyone in a country uneasy about their government’s authoritarian tendencies, an ironic reference to Kubrick’s Dr Strangelove; Mozart’s opera might … Continue reading →

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Woody & Frankie’s Bullet for Adolf

Posted on April 20, 2011 by barczablog

There came a moment when I discovered just how sincere and authentic Woody Harrelson & Frankie Hyman are about their new play Bullet for Adolf. Tonight was the first preview in Toronto at Hart House Theatre, and afterwards they held … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews | 5 Comments

David Greig’s Cosmonaut

Posted on April 17, 2011 by barczablog

Chances are that when a play has a fifteen word title, neither the work nor its review will be short.  David Greig’s The Cosmonaut’s Last Message to the Woman He Once Loved in the Former Soviet Union has been given … Continue reading →

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La Traviata in concert

Posted on April 9, 2011 by barczablog

There’s no better affirmation of the power of a particular opera score than to see it performed in concert: or maybe that should be “hear” rather than “see”.  The only impact a designer has on such a performance is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | 2 Comments

Chopin at the Opera

Posted on March 30, 2011 by barczablog

There’s nothing quite like cinema to change your viewpoint.  Film has changed my perspective on Frederic Chopin more than once. I’d grown up with his music around me, aware of him almost from the beginning.  Anyone learning how to play … Continue reading →

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