Tag Archives: Richard Wagner

2024 Met Gala – JG Ballard’s Garden of Time tone deaf to the rabble

Posted on May 16, 2024 by barczablog

The 2024 Met Gala fund-raiser used a JG Ballard story for its theme, The Garden of Time. Ballard is one of my favourite writers, especially his short stories and science fiction. Several have made wonderful films. Art and commerce lurk … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Architecture & Design, Books & Literature, Popular music & culture | Tagged Auguste de Villiers de l’Isle-Adam, Axël, Claude Debussy, JG Ballard, Maurice Maeterlinck, Richard Wagner, Stéphane Mallarmé, Symbolist, The Garden of Time | Leave a comment

Gimeno and Moussa: Ligeti, Wagner and Strauss’s Don Quixote

Posted on April 5, 2024 by barczablog

Last night’s brilliant concert at Roy Thomson Hall from the Toronto Symphony was improved by the introductory remarks from Music Director Gustavo Gimeno, explaining his unorthodox choices. The concert may have been titled “R Strauss’s Don Quixote” but Gimeno explained … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Reviews | Tagged Don Quixote, Gustavo Gimeno, Gyorgy Ligeti, Jörgen van Rijen, Joseph Johnson, Lohengrin, Lontano, Parsifal, program music, Richard Strauss, Richard Wagner, Samy Moussa, tone poem, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Yericho | Leave a comment

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 | 1 Comment

Questions for Tammy Wilson

Posted on February 21, 2024 by barczablog

Tamara Wilson is one of the best singers in the world. Yes we import Europeans to sing opera but some Americans have no equal. We’re lucky to have heard that voice in Toronto, usually the most impressive sound in that … Continue reading →

Posted in Interviews, Opera | Tagged Aida, COVID, Die Fledermaus, Giuseppe Verdi, Isolde, Kenan Thompson, Richard Wagner, saturday night live, Savannah Bananas, Tamara Wilson, Turandot | 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 | 4 Comments

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

Powerhouse Tristan und Isolde

Posted on October 30, 2023 by barczablog

Last night Powerhouse Opera presented an abridged version of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde at Jeanne Lamon Hall. Powerhouse Opera is a new company begun by soprano Susan Tsagkaris in March 2022, aiming to showcase dramatic / large sized voices with … Continue reading →

Posted in Opera, Reviews | Tagged Alexander Cappellazzo, Andrew Tees, Brahm Goldhamer, Catherin Carew, Kurwenal, Peter Furlong, Powerhouse Opera, Richard Wagner, Susan Tsagkaris, Tristan und Isolde | Leave a comment

Holst’s Neptune and Wagner’s Lohengrin Prelude

Posted on November 5, 2022 by barczablog

I’ve just noticed something concerning Gustav Holst’s Planets suite. You’ve probably heard that Holst did not mean planets in the sense of astronomy but rather to be more of a meditation on the astrological significance of each planet. His seven … Continue reading →

Posted in Music and musicology, Opera, Spirituality & Religion | Tagged Gustav Holst, Gustavo Gimeno, Gyorgy Ligeti, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Lohengrin, Peter Oundjian, Richard Wagner, The Planets Suite, Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Leave a comment

Another look at Alden’s Dutchman, a first look at Harold Wilson

Posted on October 24, 2022 by barczablog

Today’s matinee was the Canadian Opera Company’s closing performance of The Flying Dutchman, complete with a singer making his debut. The American bass Harold Wilson stepped in for an indisposed Franz-Josef Selig in the role of Daland. When I looked … Continue reading →

Posted in Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged Canadian Opera Company, Christopher Alden, Franz-Josef Selig, Harold Wilson, Johannes Debus, Marjorie Owens, Metropolitan Opera, Miles Mykkanen, Richard Wagner, The Flying Dutchman | 4 Comments