Just came across this story about the sad final chapter of the Audubon Quartet. I don't care who is right in this saga, the only people that come out of this with a smile on their face and money in their pockets are the lawyers.

Not much time to dash off blog entries right now, what with coming home to find we urgently need a new hot water heating tank and so on, but did want to give you the heads up on two concerts not to be missed this weekend at the USC School of Music Recital Hall. Friday the 18th at 7:30 PM, the incandescent Marina Lomazov will be giving a recital, and if you want a seat, you had better get there early, and I mean at least by 7 PM. This woman sells out Koger Center when she plays with SC Philharmonic, and the Recital Hall only seats about 200 and change. If you are in Columbia and love music and don't know about Marina, well, it's just not possible. Her playing is virtuosic, mesmerizing, charismatic, and thrilling. Don't know what the program is, but it doesn't matter. Worth a drive if you're reading this elsewhere in the state. Of all the reasons to like living in Columbia, the chance to hear her several times a year has to rank up there in importance. Have I done enough to convince you?

One of the other good reasons to live in our town is on display the very next evening, this Saturday the 19th. The Southern Exposure concert series, curated by USC composer John Fitz Rogers, has its first concert of the season at 7:30 on that evening, also at the Recital Hall. Sitar virtuoso Kardik Seshardri accompanied by Arup Chattopadhyay on tabla will be featured. One of the things I do miss from New York days are the World Music Institute concerts I used to attend regularly, and I hope that more world music concerts will take place in this city. This Saturday night concert is an unusual opportunity to hear a kind of music that you rarely have the chance to hear live in this area, so I strongly encourage you to avail yourself of this chance.

I opened the paper this morning, shocked to read this item, which clearly belongs in a category with other such jolting headlines as "Pope is Catholic" and "Bear Shits in Woods." Don't know about you, but my whole worldview has been turned upside down.

Steve Spurrier is not the only newcomer to USC who's energized a program at the school. Last year Opera at USC brought on board the very dynamic and gifted Ellen Douglas Schlaefer as the new Director of Opera Studies at the School of Music. In her brief time at the school the opera program has mounted some very ambitious and successful productions. This weekend you have two opportunities to see their fall presentation, Rossini's 1813 opera, "The Italian Girl in Algiers.". Shows are Friday Nov. 11 at 7:30, and Sunday Nov. 13 at 3 PM, both at Keenan High School.

Expect lots of laughs and hijinks in this show. You'll hear some outstanding singing and really fine young talent, as well. The students have been working very hard on this opera throughout the fall, under the guidance of this marvelous team (full disclosure policy dictates that I point out my wife Lynn is the vocal/opera coach at USC, so I REALLY know how much sweat has gone into this, from students and faculty). Sadly, I have to miss this opera since I'm in New York this weekend (see below), but if you're reading this in the Midlands area, don't miss these performances! The training these young people get in all aspects of opera (acting, vocal technique, musical and stylistic issues, language) is extraordinary.