Flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal, Bloomberg Financial Markets CEO, Author Madeleine L'Engle Among Speakers at Yale University

The following talks and performances at Yale University during the week of Sept. 15-21 are free and open to the public, unless noted otherwise.

The art of Hebrew translation

Israeli poet Linda Zisquit and Israeli translator Barbara Harshav will discuss the gains and losses associated with translating poetry from Hebrew into English in a discussion workshop on Monday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale, 80 Wall St. The workshop, titled “Poem and Translation: The Case of English and Hebrew,” is sponsored by the Faculty Fellowship of Yale Hillel.

Ms. Zisquit’s most recent book of poetry, “Unopened Letters,” was published in 1996. In addition to her 1993 poetry collection, “Ritual Bath,” she has translated selected poems of the late Israeli poet Yonah Wallach in a collection titled “Wild Light.” Ms. Harshav, a leading translator of Israeli fiction, drama and poetry, has published translations from Yiddish “American Yiddish Poetry,” 1986, as well as numerous works from Hebrew by such authors as Yehuda Amichai, Hanoch Levine and Michael Guvrin.

Renowned flutist will give a master class

World-renowned flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal will lead a master class featuring flute students from the School of Music on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. in Morse Recital Hall in Sprague Memorial Hall, 470 College St. Tickets are $8; $5 for students.

As the first flutist in history to attract world-wide audiences equal to those drawn by virtuoso pianists and string players, Mr. Rampal is considered the “father figure” of the current flute boom. His performances, recordings, premieres and revivals have helped restore the flute to the position it held during the 18th century. In addition to being known for his performances, Mr. Rampal has also gained increasing recognition as a conductor. For more information, call 432-4158.

President of Bloomberg Financial Markets to lecture at SOM

Michael R. Bloomberg, the president and founder of Bloomberg Financial Markets, will discuss the topic “Building the World’s Leading Global Network” as part of the International Business Roundtable at the School of Management SOM. His talk will take place Tuesday, Sept. 16, 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. in the General Motors Room of Horchow Hall, 55 Hillhouse Ave.

Mr. Bloomberg founded Bloomberg Financial Markets in 1981. His company provides multimedia, analytical and news services to more than 78,000 terminals at most of the world’s central banks, investment institutions, commercial banks, U.S. government offices and agencies, and news organizations. Headquartered in New York City, the company also publishes Bloomberg Magazine and operates an all-news radio station and Bloomberg Television, a direct-broadcast television channel delivering news, global market updates, sports and weather.

Its show “Bloomberg Business News” airs on public television stations across the United States. The company also has launched “Bloomberg Small Business” and “Bloomberg Personal TV,” two nationally syndicated news magazine programs airing on USA Network. Mr. Bloomberg formerly was a general partner at Salomon Brothers, where he headed equity trading and sales, and later, systems development. He published his first book, “Bloomberg by Bloomberg,” this year.

Christianity and Buddhism is topic of first Woodward Lecture

Joseph O’Leary, professor of English literature at Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, will give the first Woodward Lecture of the year on the topic “The Crisis of Christianity and the Buddhist Response” on Wednesday, Sept. 17. His talk, sponsored by the religious studies department, will begin at 4 p.m. in Rm. 208 of the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St.

Born in Cork, Ireland, Professor O’Leary studied at Maynooth University in Ireland and at the Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes in France. He has published both in French and in English on questions of literature and theology. His most recent work – considered a radical breakthrough in ecumenical theology – deals with religious pluralism, specifically the possible dialog between Buddhists and Christians. It was published in English as “Religious Pluralism and Christian Truth.” He has been a member of the faculty at Sophia University since 1988.

Prize-winning author to speak as guest of Common Quest

Writer Madeleine L’Engle, author of the Newbery Award-winning children’s book “A Wrinkle in Time,” will give a talk on Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Battell Chapel. Her lecture, titled “50 Billion Galaxies in a Grain of Rice,” is presented by the Common Quest Foundation, which is committed to deepening and broadening the spiritual life at Yale.

Ms. L’Engle has authored more than 50 other books, ranging from science fiction to suspense and mystery novels, as well as poetry, plays, journals and personal reflections on Scripture and what it means to be Christian. Among her autobiographical works are “A Circle of Quiet” and “Two-Part Invention: The Story of Marriage,” part of the four-volume “Crosswicks Journals.” Ms. L’Engle has won numerous awards for her works, including the American Book Award and the National Religious Book Award. At age 79, she continues to write, and gives lectures throughout the country.

Concert to feature Iranian classical composer

Hossein Alizadeh, who is considered one of the most prominent Iranian classical composers and virtuosos, will perform Persian classical music in a concert on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St. Performing with Mr. Alizadeh will be Kayhan Kalhor and Pejman Haddadi. Tickets are $25.

Mr. Alizadeh’s compositions and performances bring together classical Persian musical styles, as well as Iranian folk music and the musical expressions of the Sufi and other religious groups. He studied both in Tehran and Berlin, winning a position with the National Orchestra after completing his studies. He became the conductor and soloist of the Iranian National Orchestra of Radio and Television and also has taught at Tehran University and the Tehran Music Conservatory. He has performed as a soloist extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. For further information and tickets, call Fereshteh Amanat at 776-1273.