November 16, 2011
Voice students present opera, ‘Amahl and the Night Visitors
Music Professor Thomas Harper directs students from the UW Voice Division in a production of Gian Carlo Menottis one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, in Meany Studio Theater.
One of the most popular of American operas, Menotti’s work is performed throughout the country every Christmas season. The first opera ever written expressly for television, it was first performed on Christmas Eve, 1951, by the NBC Television Theater. Music is by Gian Carlo Menotti, with a libretto by the composer. The opera was inspired by the painting The Adoration of the Magi by Hieronymous Bosch.
The story revolves around Amahl, a disabled boy who can walk only with a crutch, and who has a problem with telling tall tales and, occasionally, lying. He is sitting outside playing his shepherd’s pipe when his mother calls for him. After much persuasion, he enters the house but his mother does not believe him when he tells her there is an amazing star “as big as a window” outside over their roof.
Later, Amahl and his mother are visited by the three kings who are on their way to see the Christ child. After a night of adventures, Amahl offers them his crutch as a gift for Jesus and his leg is healed.
Tickets for Amahl and the Night Visitors are $15 ($10 for students and seniors) and are available at the Arts Ticket Office, 206-543-4880 or online.
