Category Archives: University life

Questions for Christos Hatzis

Posted on February 19, 2016 by barczablog

Christos Hatzis is a Juno award winning composer and professor of composition at the University of Toronto.  I was recently blown away by his score for Going Home Star, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s extraordinary piece in response to the Truth … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Popular music & culture, Spirituality & Religion, University life | 3 Comments

Questions for Iain MacNeil: Guth’s Figaro

Posted on February 17, 2016 by barczablog

Canadian bass-baritone Iain MacNeil joined the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio in the fall of 2014, after studying at University of Toronto Opera with Canadian soprano Wendy Nielsen.  There’s a more complete biography on his website: here. His career is off … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Music and musicology, Opera, University life | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Cakes and Puppets/Buchty a Loutky: La Calisto

Posted on February 11, 2016 by barczablog

The Centre for Drama, Theatre & Performance Studies at University of Toronto are in the midst of a residency by Cakes and Puppets, a Czech puppetry company.  Who are they and what are they presenting in this brief visit? Cakes … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, University life | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

La bonne chanson @ RBA

Posted on January 21, 2016 by barczablog

Today’s noon-hour concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre was the first collaboration between the Canadian Opera Company’s Ensemble Studio and the COC Orchestra Academy.  As I so often do I’ll begin with a preamble, one that corresponds to the gap … Continue reading →

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

Questions for Leanne Pepper @ University of Toronto Faculty Club    

Posted on December 20, 2015 by barczablog

At one time I used to regularly meet Leanne Pepper on the bus on the way home, when she lived a few block away from me in the east end of Toronto.   I’ve known Leanne for a decade or two, … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, University life | Leave a comment

Vocalis 2 in the Great Hall

Posted on December 3, 2015 by barczablog

There are so many opportunities to hear great music in this city that the one I chose tonight could easily have slipped under the radar.  There’s so much going on at the Faculty of Music, check out their schedule (click … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, University life | 1 Comment

VOCALIS: a new series at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto

Posted on November 28, 2015 by barczablog

VOCALIS A new series of four concerts featuring the students of the Masters and DMA Voice programs, the Collaborative Piano program as well as students from the Instrumental program at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. This program is … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Press Releases and Announcements, University life | Leave a comment

Hart House Hamlet

Posted on November 5, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been going to Hart House Theatre for a very long time, going back to my own participation as an undergrad in another century, a place for ambitious productions, a less-than-ideal space built in a lovely old building full of … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Reviews, University life | 2 Comments

10 Questions for Dan Mousseau: Hamlet

Posted on November 4, 2015 by barczablog

I had the pleasure of meeting Dan Mousseau at Ryerson Theatre School, a remarkable training ground for many of the best actors in this country. You can surmise his range from the fact he’s been cast as both John in … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, University life | Leave a comment

Attila Keszei: the eco-warrior rides on

Posted on July 18, 2015 by barczablog

My friend Attila Keszei is back.  Attila, an engineer who offered heroic leadership in the quest for sustainability and reducing the university’s carbon footprint retired from the University of Toronto a few years ago.  But his creativity continues unabated,  retirement … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, University life | Tagged | 3 Comments