Conversations on the Lake

Mozart and the Human Heart: Aspects of Love in Popular Arias

Some say the name of Mozart is synonymous with love. The prolific prodigy created unusually affecting compositions for solo instrument and for ensembles large and small. But it is in his work for the human voice that we can perhaps access with greatest immediacy his singular insight into varied aspects of love, romantic to filial, informed with joy, hope, sorrow, anger, even vengeance. In this presentation, we will witness a remarkable range of passionate interpretations from three of Mozart’s best-known works, The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni and The Magic Flute, and from the lesser-known Il Re Pastore.

Daphne O’Neal began the study of classical piano, music theory and music appreciation at age five and participated in the Young Artists Competition at 16. She can recall with intensity her first experience of opera, a children’s production of Hansel and Gretel, at age four. Recently named a design columnist at Bay Area News Group, she holds a B.A. in Modern European History from Harvard University.