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Overview

Synopsis

Based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young disabled boy named Amahl, who lives in poverty with his widowed mother near Bethlehem. He sees a bright star in the sky one night and tells his mother to go look, but she brushes him off, buried in concern over their bleak future and lack of means with which to support themselves. That night, three kings come across their meager hut and seek shelter, for they have traveled long and far following the star of which Amahl had spoken. They bring with them treasure and gifts to give to “the Child” who has just been born and who will reign over all. Blinded by the lure of the gold and what it could do for her family. the Mother attempts to steal just a bit of the treasure, but is caught red-handed. What no one expects is a gift far greater than gold--blessed by the Child, Amahl finds himself suddenly cured of his disability. A vivid and accessible tale originally created for television, Amahl and the Night Visitors is a perfect first opera--or hundredth!

Show Information

Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1951
Genres
Drama
Settings
Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
the first century, just after the birth of christ; near bethlehem
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
None
Ideal For
Chamber Opera, College/University, Community Theatre, Diverse Cast, High School, Professional Opera, Religious Groups, Theatre For Young Audiences (TYA)/Children's, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Child, Early Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

The Mother

Lead

Female

Soprano

Amahl

Lead

Male

Treble/Boy Soprano

King Kaspar

Supporting

Male

Tenor

King Melchior

Supporting

Male

Baritone

King Balthazar

Supporting

Male

Bass

The Page

Featured

Male

Dancers

Ensemble

Female

Chorus of Shepherds and Villagers

Ensemble

Either Gender

Songs

The opera is in a single continuous act, without scene breaks or musical separations. (Written into the plot synopsis are cues to aid in lining up the story with the score.)

Popularly excerpted “arias” are “All that Gold” (The Mother) and “This is My Box” (King Kaspar).

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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