The last of the 3-part series, Inside the Music, takes place on Saturday, May 19, from 10:30-noon when John Mucci discusses The Rise and Fall of Verismo Opera. Mucci, who himself is a writer, composer and lyricist, uses a blend of musical illustration and slide presentation to show how Verismo opera came to be. Verismo is a term that refers to a certain kind of Italian opera that began in 1890 and flourished between 1900 and 1929. It is characterized by stories abounding in violent love and hate, themes that mix the basest motives with the most ardent expression. Using examples from the library's opera collection, verismo will be examined as the first "reality" event for opera-goers. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950.
Chamber music concert on SundayThe Fontenay Chamber Players performs on Sunday, May 20, at the library from 4-5:30 p.m. The Fontenay Chamber Players was formed in 2003 to bring together some of the area's top chamber players in an exceptional combination of instruments. The repertoire features Maurice Ravel's luminous Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and strings. The musicians are flutist Maryly Culpepper; clarinetist Kathryn Taylor; harpist Wendy Kerner Lucas; violinists Maria Conti and Leona Nadj; violist Renate Falkner; and cellist Arthur Cook. The program is sponsored by the Suzanne La Follette Culley Charitable Trust. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Pre-registrants must arrive by 4 p.m. to be guaranteed seating. After 4 p.m. and if space is available, waitlisted and walk-in registrants will be admitted. Register online or call 762-3950.
The library is hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Tea at 3 prior to the concert. The tea is in honor of the volunteers who give countless hours to the library for various activities such as the annual book sale, Discovery Day and myriad tasks that keep the library running. Guests of the tea will automatically be registered for the concert.
Gardening author talkPopular garden author and lecturer, Sydney Eddison, shares her insights in a slide presentation based on her book, The Gardener's Palette: Creating Color in the Garden, on Monday, May 21 from 11-noon at the library. The program, The Rainbow Contained with Sydney Eddison, is co-sponsored by the library and the Wilton Garden Club. Ms. Eddison teaches gardening at the New York Botanical Garden and lectures extensively. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950.
Book discussionsThe Senior Center Book Discussion group meets on Tuesday, May 22, at 11 a.m. to reflect on Martha Washington: An American Life by Patricia Brady. The group leader is library staffer Barbara Jones. Call the Senior Center at Comstock Community Center for details and to register at 834-6240.
On Thursday, May 31, Joanna Ecke and Jean Brey return to discuss The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton from noon-1:30. Two confessed book lovers who also love movies, the pair will be showing excerpts from the movie as well. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950.
Student writers discuss their craftSix young authors who have participated in Raye Forsey's Writers' Workshop will discuss their writing processes on Thursday, May 31, from 3:30-4:30 with students in grades 4 and up. The students have worked throughout the school year to produce novels and they will share their finished works as well as displays explaining the many steps involved from concept of the story to the bound copy. Ms. Forsey leads everyone through one or two creative exercises/games, and also reads pieces from each novel. The workshop ends with a question-and-answer period with the authors. There is no charge for the program. Advance registration is suggested. Register online or call 762-3950. For students whose schedules allow it, there is an earlier version of this same program from 2-3:30 also on Thursday. Call the library at 762-3950 for details.