Tag Archives: Verdi

10 Questions for Joel Ivany

Posted on November 27, 2013 by barczablog

Joel Ivany’s career seems to be taking off.  His work with Against the Grain Theatre here in Toronto is impressive enough, but in addition he directed the recent World premiere of Gavin Bryars chamber opera Marilyn Forever with the Aventa … Continue reading →

Posted in Dance, theatre & musicals, Interviews, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Adès contra Parsifal

Posted on April 13, 2013 by barczablog

Ever notice that conversations can reinforce and honour contrary positions? When you sit down with someone over latkes, beers or (name your pleasure), the celebration and enactment of community & indeed, communion, makes the points where you diverge immaterial. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Books & Literature, Personal ruminations & essays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

La Scala Lohengrin 2012

Posted on December 11, 2012 by barczablog

Wagner’s Lohengrin opened the season at La Scala, Milan in a new production directed by Claus Guth.  That it was Wagner rather than Verdi in this season of centennials—both Guiseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner were born in 1813—is the least … Continue reading →

Posted in Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

10 Questions for Milton Granger

Posted on November 20, 2012 by barczablog

Milton Granger is composer/librettist/lyricist of six chamber operas, all of which have been produced multiple times throughout the U.S. by college opera workshops and regional companies.  Two (Uncharted Waters and Talk Opera) are first-place National Opera Association prizewinners. Granger’s musical play Bronze … Continue reading →

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Numbers game

Posted on July 12, 2012 by barczablog

Is opera a numbers game?  It depends who you ask. Statistics can describe aspects of any art form.  For example: Guernica is 3.49 meters by 7.76 meters (more than 11 feet by over 25 feet) Syberberg’s film Our Hitler is over 7 hours … Continue reading →

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Verdi and Wagner

Posted on July 2, 2012 by barczablog

Is it early to be talking about the 2013 bicentennial of Giuseppe Verdi & Richard Wagner? Not when papers to be presented at conferences next year are already being proposed. Both composers were born in 1813. Let’s get to the … Continue reading →

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Operatic alchemy

Posted on January 19, 2012 by barczablog

The Canadian Opera Company announced its 2012-2013 season today, January 18th, a combination of works old and new.  I don’t pretend to understand how an opera company chooses their repertoire, although I think I understand some of the issues involved.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Essays, Opera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What’s under the tree?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by barczablog

The recent High Definition Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Philip Glass’s Satyagraha offered another look at one of the most popular operas of the past few decades.  I am posting this the night before the Canadian Opera Company announces their 2012-2013 … Continue reading →

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