Christmas spirit starts in November for The Spartanburg Repertory Company when it brings the classic holiday opera Amahl and the Night Visitors to St. John’s Lutheran Church.
This compelling one-act story about a poor young boy who meets the Magi on their journey to see the Christ Child comes to life Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 23, 3 p.m.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors is a staple of the holidays for a lot of families,” Leilani Fisher, Executive Director of The Spartanburg Repertory Company, said. “Amahl makes opera accessible to everyone since it tells another side to the story of Jesus’ birth, and it’s performed in English.”
Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti wrote Amahl and the Night Visitors in the early ’50s as the first opera written specifically for American television. It takes place near Bethlehem just after the birth of Jesus Christ. The story follows a disabled boy named Amahl who begins a long journey when three Magi show up at his door. When his beggar mother allows them in, offering “a cold fireplace and a bed of straw,” Amahl learns about the wise King Balthazar, the eccentric King Kaspar, and the gracious King Melchior. After a few misunderstandings and miracles, the group sets out in the direction of the North Star.
In Menotti’s notes, he wrote, “This is an opera for children because it tries to recapture my own childhood.” Instead of Santa Claus, Menotti noted it was the Three Kings who were said to bring gifts to children on Christmas in Italy.
“This production rekindles the spirit of Christmas,” Leilani said. “Sometimes, holiday shopping overshadows the true nature of the season. Amahl and the Night Visitors isn’t just a great opera, it’s a wonderful way to capture the spirit of the holiday and keep it with you in the coming weeks.”
Musical direction will be provided by Mildred Roche and stage direction by Aimee Gans. The lead role of Amahl has been double cast as Emma Brooke Alley and Jonathan Mitchell. Other actors are Anna McTierman and Laura Blanco, both double cast as Mother, Robert Mitchell as Kaspar, C. Roland Smith as Melchior, Larry Thornton as Balthazar, Stephen Gans, Jr. as Page, and an ensemble of actors various Shepherds: Bobbi Albert, Lindsey Brakhage, Elizabeth Cooper, Louis Knoepp, Trevor Murray, Emily Roche, John Roche, Katie Roche, Marija Roche, Michael Roche, Sabrina Roche, Eric Pfaff, and Claire Woener.
The Spartanburg Repertory Company and cast has dedicated this performance to the late Bill Drake who supported the local opera group for many years. Mr. Drake, a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, passed away in July of this year.
Tickets for Amahl and the Night Visitors are $20 per adult, $16 per senior age 55 and up, $12 per student with valid ID, and $6 per child age 12 and under. Tickets will be available at the door.
For more information, please call (864) 578-8004.