Amahl & the Night Visitors Opera

The Drama Ministry of the Music & Fine Arts - Downtown Campus, 1320 Main St. @ Clay, presents the Amahl and the Night Visitors Opera on Sunday, December 7 at 6 p.m.

Amahl and the Night Visitors is the most often performed opera in the world. A Christmas season tradition for many opera companies, schools, and churches, it was originally conceived for live television broadcast when that medium was still very new. Gian Carlo Menotti was an Italian immigrant who studied at the Curtis Institute when he still could not speak English. He developed into one of the 20th century's greatest opera composers and poets, having penned his own librettos, all but one in English. By the time Amahl was composed, he was fully versed in the dramatic and poetic possibilities of his second language.

Menotti combines dramatic elements with comedy to help shape a world through the eyes of a child. Amahl, played by First Methodist staff singer Megan Arnold, is a poor shepherd boy. Crippled since birth, Amahl is a happy child, full imagination an wonder. He has a fierce love for his mother and is an accomplished folk musician on his hand fashioned shepherd's pipe. Instead of a shepherd's staff he must use a crudely constructed crutch to enable him to watch his meager flock.

The Mother, portrayed by staff singer Cynthia Douglas, is full of angst and guilt because of their economic situation. Unable to provide oil for the lamp or firewood to heat their humble home, much less enough food for them to survive, she is desperate to the point of anger and tears. Only Amahl's love seems to sustain her when they receive unexpected visitors in the middle of the night.

The three kings from the orient and their page arrive at their door. Amahl peeks through the door of his home to see these ornately dressed monarchs. The mother is reluctant to believe her son until she witnesses this sight for herself.

Melchior (staff singer Richard Files), Kaspar (staff singer John Weinel), and Baltahzar (James Butcher) settle in while their Page (staff singer Philip Todd King) displays their gifts to the child they are seeking by following the star. Soon after, shepherds and villagers arrive (members of the Sanctuary Choir) and are awestruck by the sight of these foreigners. A dance is performed (Ballet Grace, directed by Cookie Joe) to entertain the kings before retire for the evening.

The Mother rationalizes that her child is in need and that even one piece of gold will be enough to help them survive. She sneaks toward the gifts but is caught by the Page and shamed by the kings. Amahl vehemently defends his mother and Melchior offers forgiveness saying that she may keep the gold. He sings, "The child we seek doesn't need our gold. On love alone He will build His kingdom. Swifter than lightning He will soon walk among us. He will bring us new life and receive our death, and the keys to His kingdom belong to the poor."

The Mother gives back the gold, lamenting only that she is too poor to offer a gift of her own. Amahl suggests that maybe the child will need his crutch and offers it to the kings. A miracle ensues and Amahl is able to walk, even run and play to the delight of all. Amahl wants to deliver his gift and the kings offer to take him to see the child. She agrees and the new fellowship of believers continue their journey to worship the child.

Amahl is being directed, designed and conducted by Director of Drama Ministries, Dr. Terry Morris, in collaboration with Director of Music and Fine Arts, Michael Ware. The opera will be presented in its complete form with costumes, sets, props, lighting, and a chamber orchestra. This production is truly a collaboration between all elements of worship at First Methodist Church. Resources from both campuses are being utilized, and much help has come from Ann Spears, Molly Ness, Allen Houk, Stan Adams, Judy Saenz, Ruth Brown, Shirley Ware, and Elaine Walters. The visionary leadership of Dr. Steve Wende and Charles Thompson has also been instrumental in executing such an enormous project. Projects like this could not be possible without the generosity of the First Methodist family of believers.