Mozart Lecture and Performance Plays to Full House at NRPL

Music and laughter were in the air on Sunday at the New Rochelle Public Library, as Professor Eric Jennings — a New Rochelle native, retired singer, choir director and musicologist — discussed the significance and beauty of Mozart's comic opera, The Marriage of Figaro.

This was Jennings' second in a series of lectures entitled, "Mozart in Italy." The plot of this opera centers around two couples — Figaro and Susanna, and the Count and Countess — and the Count's desire to have Susanna before she is wed to Figaro.

The challenge of this opera, Jennings explained, is to bring out the comedy, so the audience  doesn't leave feeling disturbed.

"In the best productions," he said, "they step up the drama and infidelity, but that they make use of the light comedy elements."

"It is essentially what I would call a piece of great literature, set to great music, with a complex plot," Jennings said. "This is Mozart's first mature work. He is in full command of a full orchestra. It does not have the bombastic instruments of 30 or 40 years later. In terms of what is there, he has it down. He has found the most beautiful sounds."

"I am just baffled that a human being could hear this in his mind, and then translate it into this beautiful work," he said.

Brenda Fathers, of Larchmont, went to a couple of Jennings' lectures last year on the recommendation of a friend. "I like to hear Eric Jennings speak. He has a very entertaining way of explaining opera and music," Fathers said.

Lisa Tyler, of New Rochelle, said, "I found today's performance to be incredible."

Much to the delight of the audience, Jennings shared one of his favorite lines: Susanna sees Figaro in what is to be their new bedroom, happily measuring the room to see how their new bridal bed will fit. He does not know that the Count's room is next door. She slaps Figaro. He asks why. She responds, "Because I am Susanna and you are stupid."

The New Rochelle Public Library's "Mozart in Italy" free lecture series will wrap up in December with a discussion of Don Giovanni.