Curtain rises on Opera Ensemble's first concert under new director The Hugh Hodgson School of Music will present the premier concert of the UGA Opera Ensemble under its new director, Frederick Burchinal, above, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. The concert is free and open to the public. While the UGA Opera Ensemble is not new to the music school, the group has been taken to a new level of professionalism with the hiring of two professors from the Metropolitan Opera this year. Renowned baritone Burchinal and vocal coach-accompanist George Darden joined the music school faculty with the charge of building a first-rate opera program. A continuous presence at the Metropolitan Opera since his debut as Macbeth in 1988, Burchinal’s performances at the Metropolitan Opera include the title roles in Macbeth, Simon Boccanegra, Nabucco and Rigoletto. The first recipient of the Wyatt and Margaret Anderson Professorship for the Arts at UGA, Burchinal is professor of voice and director of opera. He will continue his operatic engagements with the Metropolitan Opera and with theaters and orchestras. Darden’s role at the Met included final preparation for every singer before he or she took the stage, including polishing phrasing, fine-tuning language pronunciation and solidifying interpretation. For 20 years he worked with almost every singer in the business, including Rene Fleming, Placido Domingo and Kathleen Battle, among others. “George brings many, many aspects of professional life that only he can offer,” said Burchinal. “As a superb pianist and musician, he brings a dedication to musical excellence that is greatly needed at the student level. Plus, he has an accumulated knowledge of a lifetime of playing for and coaching the very best singers in the world and working with them worldwide.” The first half of the Nov. 20 program will feature staged scenes from several operas, including La Traviata, Cosi Fan Tutte, Romeo et Juliette and Rigoletto (with Burchinal as Rigoletto). The second half of the program will be a tribute to Broadway featuring selections from Stephen Sondheim, Gilbert and Sullivan, and Rodgers and Hammerstein. —Julie Caldwell

Art exhibitions.
Works Informed by Acquired Monocular Vision, an exhibition by Athens-based artist Jonathan Jacquet. Through Nov. 18. Tate Student Center Art Gallery.

American Quilts at the Georgia Museum of Art. Through Nov. 19. Open 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Wednesday; and 1–5 p.m. Sunday. (706) 542-4662,
www.uga.edu/gamuseum.

Intimate Portraits of Nature by Carolyn Ritter. Through Nov. 22. Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden. Open 9 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday, 11:30 a.m.–
4:30 p.m. Monday. (706) 542-6130, villella@uga.edu.

Croatia through the Digital Lens: The Photo Journal of an Unforgettable Study-Abroad Experience. Sponsored by the School of Environmental Design. Through Nov. 30. Circle Gallery (G14 Caldwell Hall). (706) 542-8292, www.sed.uga.edu/gallery.

Twenty-five students and faculty of the University of Georgia journeyed for three weeks through Croatia. The focus of the trip was exploring the culture of Croatia through language, public health, sociology and historic architecture.

Mark Klett: On Photography, Time and Change. Through Dec. 1. Open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Main Gallery, Visual Arts Building. (706) 542-0069, www.art.uga.edu.

Southern Stories: The Work of Nancy Terry Hooten and Nancy Solana. Through Dec. 8. Broad Street Studios Gallery (257 W. Broad St.) Sponsored by the Lamar Dodd School of Art.
(706) 542-0069, nwendl@uga.edu
www.art.uga.edu.

Paintings by Jay Robinson. Through Jan. 7. Georgia Museum of Art. (706) 542-4662, www.uga.edu/gamuseum.

This exhibition presents more than 30 works, including one of his most recognized paintings, Billie Holiday Sings the Blues, from 1947. It also features other images from the 1940s jazz scene, as well as his non-objective paintings and constructions and his work about Africa and the other places he has visited over his career.

Weaving His Art on Golden Looms: Paintings and Drawings by Art Rosenbaum. Through Jan. 7. Georgia Museum of Art. (706) 542-4662, www.uga.edu/gamuseum.

This serves as the first major retrospective for painter, muralist and draftsman Art Rosenbaum, who taught in the Lamar Dodd School of Art from 1976– 2006.

My World, paintings by David Kontra. Beethoven created much of his music without ever hearing the finished work. American expressionist David Kontra paints without ever seeing his.

Kontra, a legally blind artist from Missouri, has his works displayed in the College of Education’s Office of Information Technology—Room 232 in Aderhold Hall—during the 2006-2007 academic year. The office is open from 7:45 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:45 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday.

Kontra’s visual impairment is caused by a degenerative eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which slowly robs people of their sight. Severe tunnel vision, nystagmus (rapid involuntary rhythmic eye movement) and blind spots are what he must deal with daily and when squinting inches from the canvas.

Monday, November 13
Blood Drive.
1–6 p.m. Myers Hall. Sponsored by the American Red Cross. (678) 227-4650.

Concert.
UGA Trombone Choir. 5 p.m. Ramsey Concert Hall. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Film.
The Consequences of Love, directed by Paolo Sorrentino. (2004, 104 minutes). 7:30 p.m. 248 Student Learning Center. Italian Film Series. Sponsored by the UGA Libraries Media Department. (706) 542-7090, knowlton@uga.edu, www.titletk.com/italianfilm.

Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Period.
Through Dec. 15. (706) 542-1814.

Tuesday, November 14
Discussion.
“The Heightened Significance of Brown v. Board of Education in Our Time.” Noon. G23 Aderhold. Sponsored by the College of Education Dean’s Council on Diversity and Center for Latino Achievement and Success in Education. (706) 542-6446.

Recital.
Quartet for flute, violin, viola and cello; and a Woodwind Quintet, flute. 3:30 p.m. Edge Recital Hall. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Lecture.
Peter Lunenfeld, media designer. 5:30 p.m. 101 Student Learning Center. Visiting Artist and Scholar Series. Sponsored by the Lamar Dodd School of Art and the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. (706) 542-1511, artinfo@uga.edu.

Concert.
SAI Thanksgiving Benefit. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
6:30 p.m. Edge Recital Hall. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Men’s Basketball.
vs. Western Kentucky. Fox SNS TV. 7 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

Lecture.
Anthony Rapp will discuss his life and career as an actor. $2 (free for UGA students with valid ID). 7:30 p.m. Georgia Hall, Tate Student Center. Sponsored by University Union. (706) 542-6396, mlamotte@uga.edu.

Concert.
UGA Wind Symphony. 8 p.m. Ramsey Concert Hall. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Wednesday, November 15
Seminar.
“Sex, Drugs and Heavy Metal: Adventures in the Gene Raden” Anne Summers, microbiology. 4 p.m. B118 Life Sciences. Sponsored by the Department of Genetics. (706) 542-8000.

First Aid Certification.
$25. 5–9 p.m. University Health Center. Class size limited, call early to register. Sponsored by the University Health Center. (706) 542-8695.

Learn how to treat breathing emergencies, bleeding, injuries, sudden illness and how to prevent disease transmission. Participants receive three-year National Safety Council Certification.

Women’s Basketball.
vs. North Carolina A&T. 7 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

Thursday, November 16
Film Screening and Discussion.
Judge Steve Jones will open the discussion of poverty awareness, followed by the documentary Wage Slaves: Not Getting By In America. 171 Student Learning Center. Sponsored by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the School of Social Work. (706) 542-0348, nsanders@uga.edu.

International Education Week Celebration.
A fundraising event for study-abroad and international student scholarships. $8 ($5 UGA students, $3 children ages 6-12). 6–9 p.m. Georgia Hall, Tate Student Center. Sponsored by the Office of International Education and the Office of International Student Life. (706) 542-7903, clarson@uga.edu, www.uga.edu/oie/iew.

Recital.
David D. Lambert, trombone. 8 p.m. Ramsey Concert Hall. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Performance.
Young Choreographer’s Series Senior/Junior Concert 2006. Through Nov. 18. 8 p.m.
New Dance Theatre, Dance Building. Sponsored by the department of dance.
(706) 542-4415, bjp@uga.edu.

Friday, November 17
Campus Coffee Hour.
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Memorial Hall
Ballroom. Hosted by the Korean Traditional Play Association. (706) 542-5867,
careyk@uga.edu .

Lecture.
“Exploring the Career Success Strategies of Black Women Faculty in the Academy,”
Nichole Ray, adult education. 12:20– 1:10 p.m. 248 Student Learning Center. Friday Speaker Series. Sponsored by the Institute for Women’s Studies. (706) 542-0066.

Lecture.
“Love and Happiness: Eros According to Octavio Paz, John Donne and the Rev. Al
Green,” Craig Werner, University of Wisconsin at Madison. 3:30 p.m. 265 Park Hall. Lanier Speaker Series. Sponsored by the English department. (706) 542-2184, rasulaj@uga.edu.

Clinic.
Instruction in basic mountain biking safety and technical skills, followed by trail riding. 5 p.m. Ramsey Student Center. Sponsored by the Georgia Outdoor Recreation.
choppie2@uga.edu .

Swimming and Diving.
vs. Emory (men and women) and Arkansas (women). 6 p.m. Gabrielsen Natatorium, Ramsey Student Center.

Observatory viewing.
7 p.m. Physics building. Sponsored by the department of physics and astronomy. (706) 542-7827, www.physast.uga.edu.

Soccer.
Third round of the NCAA tournament. Through Nov. 19.

Saturday, November 18
Elegant Salute X.
Biennial fundraising gala for the Georgia Museum of Art. $250 per person. (706) 542-0427.

Hosted by the Friends of the Museum, this year’s Salute honors M. Smith Griffith, founder of the Elegant Salute and its chair for the first five events. All funds raised will support construction of the phase II addition to the Museum.

Workshop.
“Putting your Garden to Sleep,” tips for preparing your garden for winter. 9:30 a.m.
Callaway parking lot, State Botanical Garden. (706) 542-6156, sbgeduc@uga.edu.

Men’s Basketball.
vs. Valdosta State. 4 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

Concert.
The Performing Arts Center presents the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra in concert on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. The internationally acclaimed Russian orchestra will be conducted by music director Pavel Kogan with guest cellist Alisa Weilerstein in a program featuring Schumann’s Cello Concerto and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. Tickets are $28 (orchestra and front balcony) and $23 (rear balcony). They are half price for UGA students with a valid ID. Discounts are available for groups.

Founded in 1943, the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra has earned a reputation as one of the greatest orchestras from a cultural tradition rich with extraordinary symphonic ensembles. The orchestra’s founder and first musical director was Nikolai Anosov, one of the most outstanding musicians of his time, whose son, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, became one of Russia’s most famous conductors. Apart from its regular appearances at the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, the orchestra tours extensively throughout the world, playing from 20 to 50 concerts abroad each year.

In 1989 Pavel Kogan was named music director and chief conductor of the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra. He appears frequently with the leading orchestras of Europe and the U.S., and he also serves as permanent conductor of the Bolshoi Opera in Moscow.

Twenty-four-year-old American cellist Alisa Weilerstein has attracted widespread recognition for playing that combines natural virtuosity with impassioned musicianship. She has given recitals in music capitals throughout the U.S. and Europe and regularly participates in prestigious international music festivals. Following a performance with The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote, “Cellists twice or thrice Weilerstein’s age would be hard-pressed to match the concentrated beauty and power of this young dynamo’s playing.”

A pre-concert lecture will be given at 7:15 p.m. by Matt Jones, a UGA graduate student in musicology. The lecture is free and open to the public. (706) 542-4400, www.uga.edu/pac.

Sunday, November 19
National Broadcast.
Mountain Stage broadcast from Athens. On local NPR affiliate WUGA (91.7, 97.9 FM), 2 p.m.

The syndicated weekly radio show Mountain Stage that was recorded in a live performance Aug. 27 in UGA’s Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall will air nationally.

Women’s Basketball.
vs. Davidson. 2:30 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

Recital.
The Performing Arts Center presents violinist Levon Ambartsumian on Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall.

A native of Moscow, Ambartsumian studied at the Moscow Central Music School and graduated from the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. In 1977 he won first prize in the Zagreb International Violin Competition, and two years later he was a prizewinner in the Montreal International Competition. In 1981 he won the All-Union Violin Competition in Riga.

Ambartsumian has served on the faculty of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and for two years he was a visiting professor at Indiana University School of Music. In 1995 he accepted the position of Franklin Professor of Violin at the University of Georgia School of Music.

For his recital, Ambartsumian will be accompanied by pianist Anatoly Sheludyakov.
(706) 542-4400, www.uga.edu/pac.

Monday, November 20
Chamber Recital.
Katrina Roman and the Double Bass Ensemble. 5 p.m. Edge Recital Hall. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Concert.
UGA Opera Ensemble. 8 p.m. Hodgson Concert Hall. Sponsored by the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. (706) 542-3737, www.music.uga.edu.

Coming up
Men’s Basketball.
Nov. 21. vs. South Carolina State. 7:30 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

Blood Drive.
Nov. 22. Sponsored by the American Red Cross. 8 a.m.—1 p.m. Physical Plant, Chicopee Complex. (678) 227-4650.

Thanksgiving holiday.
Nov. 23–24 for faculty and staff. No classes, UGA offices closed.

Men's Basketball.
Nov. 24. vs. Alabama A&M. 7:30 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

Volleyball.
Nov. 24. vs. Winthrop. 7:30 p.m. Ramsey Student Center.

Football.
Nov. 25. vs. Georgia Tech. Sanford Stadium. Time to be announced.

Women's Basketball.
Nov. 26. vs. Stanford. FSN South TV. 3 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.