Category Archives: University life

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

Festival of Early Drama June 5-7

Posted on May 22, 2015 by barczablog

An anniversary nearly 400 (and 50!) years in the making!Toronto’s Medieval and Renaissance players celebrate their 50th anniversary with the Festival of Early Drama June 5 – 7, 2015Poculi Ludique Societas (PLS) continues its year-long celebration of 50 years of … Continue reading →

Posted in Press Releases and Announcements, University life | 1 Comment

Ten Questions for Wendy Nielsen

Posted on April 21, 2015 by barczablog

Wendy Nielsen is one of the most influential people in Canada’s opera community. After an international career as a soprano that has included starring appearances at the Metropolitan Opera, Nielsen went on to create a private voice studio. Nielsen is … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, University life | Leave a comment

Postcard from Morocco

Posted on March 15, 2015 by barczablog

If identity is performative, a mere construct that we enact, the demonstration of such notions would be wonderful material for the theatre.  And so it is when we come to Dominick Argento’s 1971 opera Postcard from Morocco, currently on offer … Continue reading →

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

10 Questions for Leslie Dala

Posted on February 26, 2015 by barczablog

Conductor Leslie Dala aka Les Dala is especially well-known out west, having conducted at the Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria and Vancouver Bach Choir, at Banff Centre and UBC Opera Ensemble.  In October 2014 he conducted Vancouver Opera’s world premiere … Continue reading →

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

Deep in the Vienna Woods

Posted on February 4, 2015 by barczablog

There’s a well-known waltz-tune by Johann Strauss Jr called Tales from the Vienna Woods.  It begins with an air of mystery, suggestions of the country, woods, birds, and also the use of unsophisticated instruments such as the zither. It’s an … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays, University life | 3 Comments

Dreams of the Vienna Woods

Posted on November 7, 2014 by barczablog

How can a place signify so much if you’ve never been there?  But when we look forward to a promised land –whether it’s America for the immigrant, Mecca or Jerusalem for the pilgrim, or just a personal utopia—it’s a mental landscape … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, University life | 3 Comments