EUGENE–The Oregon Opera Ensemble’s production of operas by Leonard Bernstein and Mozart headline the five concerts scheduled this week at the University of Oregon School of Music, 961 E. 18th Ave. Other performances will offer contemporary gospel music, marches, symphonic works and choral pieces.

For more information, call the music school weekdays at (541) 346-5678. To confirm concert times and ticket information, call GuardLine from a Touch-Tone phone at 485-2000, ext. 2533, for a 24-hours-a-day taped message of the week’s events.

The University Gospel Ensemble, under the direction of Cedric Weary, will present a concert featuring contemporary gospel music. Concert time is 6 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall, 961 E. 18th Ave. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.

The concert will include current popular gospel selections, such as "Precious Lord," "Blessed Assurance," "Jesus Paid It All" and "God So Loved the World," as well as original works by director Weary. The Gospel Ensemble Singers and Gospel Men’s Chorus, smaller groups from within the larger choir, will be featured. Faculty guitarist Mike Denny also will be featured with the ensemble on "Something About That Name."

The Gospel Ensemble is accompanied by an instrumental combo consisting of keyboardists Devon Saunders, Alex Cooper and Scott Rubey; guitarist Ehren Ebbage; bassist Paul Hemphill; and drummer Ronnie LaGrone.

The Oregon Opera Ensemble will perform two operas, "Trouble in Tahiti" by Leonard Bernstein, and an abridged version of Mozart’s "The Magic Flute." The performance begins at
7:30 p.m. in the Soreng Theater at the Hult Center, One Eugene Centre.

Tickets are $14 general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens. They are available in advance from the Hult Center, (541) 682-5000, or from the Erb Memorial Union Ticket Office,
346-4363.

Bernstein’s "Trouble in Tahiti" is the story of a dysfunctional 1950s suburban couple with communication problems–each lost in their own worlds and on the verge of divorce. A Greek chorus-style trio, dressed in 1950s big band garb, provides ongoing commentary.

"The Magic Flute" is Mozart’s popular and well-known fairy tale about true love surviving the trials of fire and water, vows of silence, a mighty serpent and an evil Queen of the Night. This abridged version will include most of the musical highlights, along with narration by KWAX-FM classical music host Caitriona Bolster.

The performers are all graduate voice students at the UO School of Music. The entire production is co-presented by the School of Music and Eugene Opera, which have worked collaboratively for several years in producing an opera each spring, sharing personnel, production staff and resources. The production is directed by David Howell, a graduate teaching fellow in opera studies, and the musicians will be conducted by John Jantzi.

The UO Campus Band, under the direction of Graduate Teaching Fellow Suzanne Gindin, will give a free concert at 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall.

The program will include "Heritage March" by Steve Hodges, "As Torrents in Summer" by Edward Elgar, "As Summer Was Just Beginning" by Larry Daehn, "Trail of Tears" by James Barnes and "Little English Suite" by Clare Grundman.

The University Symphony, under the direction of Professor Wayne Bennett, will give its final spring concert at 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall. Tickets, available at the door, are $5 general admission and $3 for students and senior citizens.

The ensemble will perform two popular staples from the orchestral repertoire: "Bolero" by Maurice Ravel and "Symphony No. 3 in E-flat" (Eroica) by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The UO Men’s and Women’s choruses will share a concert at 8 p.m. in Beall Concert Hall. Admission is free.

The Women’s Chorus, directed by Joanne McDade, will sing "Three Renaissance Pieces" by Thomas Morley and Thomas Weelkes; three love songs from the "Liebeslieder Waltzes" by Brahms; "Te Quiero" by Alberto Favero; and "Parting" from a collection of songs by UO graduate composer Rebecca Oswald.

The Men’s Chorus, directed by Genaro Mendez, will perform "My Wild Irish Rose" by Chancey Olcott, the spiritual "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," "La Pastorella" by Franz Schubert and "Salve Regina" by Kaj-Erik Gustafsson.

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