Tag Archives: Andrew Haji

Confronting mortality: AtG /COC Mozart Requiem

Posted on December 4, 2021 by barczablog

The pandemic is simultaneously new in its requirements and yet old in once again reminding us of our ultimate destiny. Modern science may blind us to history’s lessons. The images on the tray in this picture come from Täby kyrka, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, video & DVDs, Music and musicology, Opera, Reviews, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be Not Too Bold: COC Schicchi

Posted on November 1, 2021 by barczablog

The headline is the inevitable result of a weekend watching and comparing two different virtual offerings from two opera companies, one much bolder than the other. Yesterday’s Opera Atelier headline aims to praise what’s praiseworthy, so I used the word … Continue reading →

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Savitri

Posted on July 5, 2021 by barczablog

Gustav Holst’s one act chamber opera Savitri is available from Against the Grain theatre (aka “AtG”) as an online film. They offer it free of charge from their website, while inviting you to make an optional contribution to the company. … Continue reading →

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Le Barbier de Séville à l’Opéra de Québec

Posted on May 30, 2021 by barczablog

I watched the premiere of an online concert version of Barber of Seville, available until June 12th. It’s semi-staged, meaning that you watch the cast perform the opera in formal attire, Figaro miming shaving Bartolo, the lights flashing for the … Continue reading →

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COC Otello

Posted on May 1, 2019 by barczablog

On paper the Canadian Opera Company’s new offering, an English National Opera production of Verdi’s Otello directed by David Alden and starring Russell Thomas, Gerald Finley & Tamara Wilson is as good as it gets. It’s an incredible luxury to … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Toronto Symphony–Mendelssohn Choir Messiah

Posted on December 19, 2018 by barczablog

Toronto is Messiah town, as I’ve joked before. Handel’s most popular Biblical oratorio is everywhere at this time of year. Tonight I took in the second of six offered this week by the Toronto Symphony, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and … Continue reading →

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BOUND v. 2: power struggles

Posted on November 20, 2018 by barczablog

Against the Grain Theatre premiered version two of BOUND at The Great Hall on Queen St W or as Joel Ivany called it “an ongoing process”.  I didn’t see version 1, and perhaps this summer or next year there will … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Oundjian Ode to Joy

Posted on June 30, 2018 by barczablog

Tomorrow will be the last concert in this month-long celebration of Peter Oundjian’s tenure with the Toronto Symphony. I would have gone tomorrow but unfortunately I have to be somewhere else, and will miss that last encounter between orchestra & … Continue reading →

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Tragic Canadians in Traviata

Posted on October 17, 2015 by barczablog

I had a second look at Arin Arbus’ production of Verdi’s La traviata for the Canadian Opera Company with a few cast changes. At the centre of this world is Joyce El-Khoury in the title role, opposite Andrew Haji as … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

10 questions for Andrew Haji

Posted on October 13, 2015 by barczablog

You may know tenor Andrew Haji as a member of the Canadian Opera Company Ensemble Studio, for his appearances with the COC in the Ensemble Studio performance of The Barber of Seville (as Count Almaviva in May 2015), and Così … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments