Category Archives: Reviews

Always the Bridesmaid

Posted on May 23, 2011 by barczablog

I saw Bridesmaids tonight. If you watch Saturday Night Live you know Kristen Wiig. In passing, I’ll acknowledge that you might be one of those people who used to watch SNL.   Fine, you don’t want to admit that you watch … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Popular music & culture, Reviews | 1 Comment

Lepage’s Walküre, or “Welcome to The Machine, part two”

Posted on May 15, 2011 by barczablog

It doesn’t matter how big they are.  Whether we’re speaking of fame or stature, every singer in the current Metropolitan Opera productions (both Das Rheingold and Die Walküre) directed by Robert Lepage & his Ex Machina group shares the stage … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Rheingold by Request

Posted on May 14, 2011 by barczablog

A concert performance of Wagner’s Das Rheingold can be many things, but above all, it’s a colossal job.  For almost three hours, a group of singers breathes life into Gods, giants, dwarves, and Rhine-maidens, while a pianist impersonates a huge … Continue reading →

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Adrianne’s Ariadne

Posted on May 13, 2011 by barczablog

You know you’re an opera fan when___ .  There are lots of ways to complete the sentence, but how about this one(….?): you know you’re an opera fan when you come out of the Lion King, humming Ariadne auf Naxos.  … Continue reading →

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COC Orfeo ed Euridice

Posted on May 9, 2011 by barczablog

Some subjects are so immense that the only way to put them onstage is by making them into opera.  Gluck‘s Orfeo ed Euridice takes on all the major topics—love, death and art –in a concise 90 minute plot.  They don’t … Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Reviews | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments