Gee’s Bend, a tiny islet in the Alabama River, has justly earned an international reputation as a major center of black American creativity. But I was amazed at the raggedy condition of a third of these quilts.

“Gee’s Bend: Architecture of the Quilt.” Through December 14, 2008 at Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (215) 763-8100 or www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/311.html.

Doctor Atomic, the new opera at the Met, is as accurate a documentary about the invention of the atomic bomb as Oliver Stone’s film JFK is about the Kennedy assassination. Which is to say, it is not, as I can attest from conversations with the scientists themselves.

Doctor Atomic. Opera by John Adams; libretto by Peter Sellars. Alan Gilbert, conductor. Metropolitan Opera production through November 13, 2008 at Lincoln Center, New York. Live version shown November 8, 2008 at AMC Plymouth Meeting Mall, UA King of Prussia Stadium 16, Ritz Center (Voorhees, N.J.) and AMC Neshaminy 24 (Bensalem). www.metropolitanopera.org.

Without a doubt, the most exciting exhibition in Philadelphia right now is “In Search of Missing Masters” at the Woodmere Art Museum. It should also put to rest that old moniker, “African American Art.”

“In Search of Missing Masters: The Lewis Tanner Moore Collection of African American Art.” Through February 22, 2009 at Woodmere Art Museum, 9201 Germantown Ave. (215) 247-0476 or www.woodmereartmuseum.org.

Some people use the Internet to make virtual friendships. Little did I know that the Net would lead to my European solo piano debut— in Croatia, of all places.

The end of Susan Babini’s cello recital represented some of the most honestly self-revealing playing I’ve ever heard.

Susan Babini: Solo Cello Debut Concert. Presented by Astral Artists, October 19, 2008 at Trinity Center for Urban life, 2212 Spruce St. (215) 735-6699 or www.astralartists.org.

Last week’s “groundbreaking” notwithstanding, there’s still no plan, and no money up-front, for the Barnes Foundation’s proposed new home on the Parkway. At this rate, Michelangelo would yet be painting the Sistine Chapel.

Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops had a voice that was smooth and pleading and as full of gravel as a quarry all at the same time. For a white suburban Jewish kid in the ’60s, that meant the world.

Charles Dutoit, beginning his tenure as the Philadelphia Orchestra’s chief conductor, says he wants to survey Berlioz’s orchestral and vocal music during the next few years. Roméo et Juliette proved a good place to start.

Roméo et Juliette. By Hector Berlioz. Philadelphia Orchestra, Charles Dutoit, conductor. October 16-21, 2008 at Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center. (215) 893-1900 or www.philorch.org/performance/5478/2008/10/21.

Born profoundly deaf, James Castle reached out with his eyes and trained his hands to reproduce what they saw. What he achieved with any scraps he could find represents a triumph as moving as Helen Keller’s.

“James Castle: A Retrospective.” Through January 4, 2009 at Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th St. and Benjamin Franklin Parkway. (215) 763-8100 or www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/328.html.

Whatever the merits of moving the Barnes Foundation, further argument is irrelevant. The new Barnes Museum will open on the Parkway in 2011, offering at last the kind of education programs Albert Barnes wanted.