Usually I recommend concert experiences I have actually heard or at least of which I have a fairly good idea what to expect. However, sometimes I recommend things that sound interesting but may be even stranger than I could have foreseen. This week I am leading with one of those.

COLLEGE PARK: THE OPERA
>> The interdisciplinary art collective called Squonk Opera got its start in Pittsburgh. Their latest project is Put Your Hometown’s Name Here: The Opera, a site-specific performance crafted to whatever city they happen to be performing it in. After a residency period getting to know College Park, the group will be performing this piece as College Park: The Opera at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. Performances are scheduled for Thursday and Friday (November 9 and 10, 8 p.m.). Tickets: $30 (students, $7). I don’t really know what to expect, but I think it will be a funny evening of avant-garde music theater.

FREE, FREE, FREE:
>> If you work downtown, take an hour for yourself this Tuesday (November 7, 12 noon) for this month’s free Noontime Cantata. Members of the Washington Bach Consort will perform J. S. Bach’s Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit (BWV 115) in the Church of the Epiphany (13th and G St. NW).

>> On Sunday (November 12, 3 p.m.), the National Academies of Science (2100 C St. NW) host another free concert in their fine series. Violinist Tai Murray and pianist Gilles Vonsattel will perform a program of music by Bartók, Beethoven, Debussy, Strauss, and Ysaÿe.