Through Wed 1/6
Italian-American composer Gian Carlo Menotti lived to be 95 (he died in 2007) and wrote more than two dozen operas. But he’ll always be best known for his one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, which debuted in 1951 and became an eagerly awaited Christmas staple on television in the ’50s, in the years before multiple channels and holiday specials. What child of the era couldn’t sing “This is my box, this is my box, I never travel without my box …”?
The story revolves around a lame young boy, Amahl, who walks with a crutch. In the middle of the night, the Three Kings, on their way to see the Baby Jesus, stop at the home he shares with his mother, looking for a place to rest. On hearing about their mission, Amahl want to give a gift to the child but all he has is his crutch so he offers it. In telling the story, there’s lots of charming and accessible music, in English. That, its appealing story and its short length make it a popular piece to introduce children to opera.
Each year, Cleveland Opera Theater partners with the City Mission to present the work, usually at an area church. Of course, this year is different. It’s been presented online and it’s free, just as the live performances are. And just as in the live performances, they are collecting donations for The City Mission’s Laura’s Home center for women and children in crisis.
Register here to get the link. It’s available on demand through Wednesday January 6.