Tag Archives: Das Rheingold

John Holland’s unexpected polemic in The Lost Tradition of Dvořák’s Operas

Posted on February 29, 2024 by barczablog

When I started reading John Holland’s new book, I didn’t expect it to be more than a study of a composer and his operas. That modest goal would already be significant, considering the cognitive dissonance I feel whenever the plural … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Opera | Tagged Bolshoi, Das Rheingold, Dmitri Tcherniakov, dramaturgy, Giuseppe Verdi, Jacobin, John Holland, Linda Hutcheon, Prince Igor, Regietheater, Richard Wagner, Robert Donington, Rusalka, Ruslan und Ludmilla | Leave a comment

Questions for Neil Craighead

Posted on February 15, 2024 by barczablog

I miss Neil Craighead, who’s currently studying, working and living out west. You may know him as a Dora Award nominee in 2015 for his Leporello in #UncleJohn with Against the Grain Theatre. Time flies, look at how young he is in … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged #UncleJohn, Against the Grain Theatre, Ainadamar, Cunning Little Vixen, Das Rheingold, Edmonton Opera, Federico Garcia Lorca, Golijov, Joel Ivany, Miriam Khalil, Neil Craighead, Pacific Opera Victoria, Patrick Raftery, Peter Barcza | Leave a comment

Questions for Alexander Hajek

Posted on January 19, 2024 by barczablog

I heard baritone Alexander Hajek singing at the Toronto Vocal Showcase 1.0 in August. He sang well. Full disclosure? I grew up accompanying my brother baritone Peter Barcza. I tend to be harshest with baritone voices ever since. So it … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged Alexander Hajek, Claire Elise Harris, Da Ponte, Danie Friesen, Das Rheingold, Ernani, Giuseppe Verdi, Mozart, Opera Revue, Richard Wagner, Toronto Vocal Showcase 1.0, Warhammer | Leave a comment

Adam Klein reflects on his operatic career (part 2): Peter Gelb, Robert Lepage and more

Posted on January 6, 2024 by barczablog

The reason I interviewed Adam Klein is interest: in his career, his opinions, and anything I might learn. I am a fan. Adam sang in the Lepage Ring, has been in a lot of shows at the Metropolitan Opera and elsewhere. … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged Adam Klein, agism, Benjamin Zander, Das Rheingold, Gandhi, Leonardo da Vinci, Little Match Girl, Loge, lookism, Mark Down, Metropolitan Opera, Metropolitan Opera High Definition Broadcast, Peter Gelb, Phelim Mc Dermott, Richard Fredericks, Richard Wagner, Robert Lepage, Satyagraha, The Nose, William Kentridge, Yaryshkin | Leave a comment

Adam Klein reflects on the beginning of his operatic career

Posted on January 2, 2024 by barczablog

How do we begin? It’s a good question to ask on January 1st. I am a big fan of tenor Adam Klein. I saw him play Loge in the Robert Lepage production of Das Rheingold, just about the only singer who … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Interviews, Opera | Tagged Adam Klein, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Claude Debussy, Das Rheingold, David Fallis, David Wright, Eric Solstein, Gene Boucher, Harold C Schonberg, Judith Blegen, Louis Quilico, Maurice Maeterlinck, Metropolitan Opera, Patricia Windrow, Paul-Émile Débert, Pelléas et Mélisande, Robert Lepage, Silence of the Lambs, Thomas Stewart, Winterreise | Leave a comment

A Tale for Two Cities: the Battle of Alberta

Posted on December 19, 2023 by barczablog

It’s not the first time I’m jealous of Alberta. The Leafs never win The Cup, while Calgary and Edmonton have each had their moments. Joel Ivany has relocated out west, Miriam Khalil singing and teaching alongside him as they raise … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera | Tagged Against the Grain Theatre, Alberta, Birmingham Opera, Calgary Opera, Calgary Stampede, Das Rheingold, Edmonton Opera, Graham Vick, Joel Ivany, Jonathan Dove, Miriam Khalil, opera, Richard Wagner | Leave a comment

SFO Rheingold

Posted on March 8, 2021 by barczablog

As I ponder the future of streaming performances & concerts, I’m checking out Wagner’s Ring Cycle as produced by the San Francisco Opera in 2018 in their co-production with the Washington Opera. If you go to https://sfopera.com/opera-is-on/ you choose between … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Cinema, video & DVDs, Opera, Reviews | Tagged Andrea Silvetrelli, Das Rheingold, Falk Struckmann, Francesca Zambello, Greet Grimsley, Jamie Barton, Julie Adams, Les Troyens, Patrice Chereau, Richard Wagner, Robert Lepage, Ronnita Miller, Stegan Margita | Leave a comment

Musical Gentrification

Posted on May 25, 2020 by barczablog

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got lots of time to think, to ponder questions old & new. One of my oldest questions is the conundrum of popularity in music. It’s a complicated phenomenon, and I’m not saying I … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Dance, theatre & musicals, Essays, Music and musicology, Opera, Personal ruminations & essays, Politics | Tagged Das Rheingold, gentrification, George Bernard Shaw, Patrice Chereau, profiteering, The Perfect Wagnerite, Wagner | Leave a comment

Night before…

Posted on January 23, 2013 by barczablog

The child who goes to bed on Christmas Eve awaiting a visit from Santa Claus may have given clues. Sometimes Santa gets a letter. Sometimes he gets a visit in the department store. I’m just like that kid, awaiting the … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged Alexander Neef, Anna Caterina Antonacci, Barbara Hannigan, Ben Heppner, Calixto Bieito, Das Rheingold, Der Vampyr, Gerald Finley, Jane Archibald, Satyagraha, Sondra Radvanovsky, Tómas Tómasson | 3 Comments

Rheingold in person

Posted on May 6, 2012 by barczablog

While there’s still a controversy about Robert Lepage’s production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle at the Metropolitan Opera because some people don’t like it, it seems to be a success. I was at the Das Rheingold that opened the third cycle, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged Adam Klein, Das Rheingold, Fabio Luisi, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera | Leave a comment