Tag Archives: James Westman

Questions for Ryan Hofman, Singer and Outreach Officer

Posted on January 10, 2024 by barczablog

I was in the lobby of the Alumni Theatre waiting to get my tickets for Kyle McDonald’s Conan and the Stone of Kelior in May 2022. Ryan Hofman boldly introduced himself, telling me he’d encountered my brother at UBC when … Continue reading →

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SOLO Traviata in Burlington

Posted on May 14, 2023 by barczablog

Last night was the boldest step forward yet for Southern Ontario Lyric Opera (SOLO), performing a fully staged La Traviata before a rapturous sold-out audience at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre (BPAC). I’ve been observing the artistic version of the … 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 →

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10 Questions for James Westman

Posted on March 2, 2015 by barczablog

I’ve been hearing the name of Baritone James Westman quite a lot, of late. He’s been in new operas such as Silent Night just this past November in Calgary, or Tovey’s The Inventor. He was soloist in Messiah with the New … Continue reading →

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Second At Bat

Posted on October 13, 2012 by barczablog

I raved about the new Canadian Opera Company Die Fledermaus when it opened last week.  Tonight I had the privilege of another look with a slightly different cast. Some things inevitably work best the first time.  A joke with a … Continue reading →

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The bat came back

Posted on October 8, 2012 by barczablog

The bat came back: from the dead that is. Forgive me for invoking one of my very favorite animated cartoons (and Richard Condie). I said BAT not CAT.   After many mediocre bats –productions of Die Fledermaus from the Canadian Opera … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments