Amahl and the nocturnal visitors
| Opera dates | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Amahl and the nocturnal visitors |
| Original title: | Amahl and the Night Visitors |
| Shape: | Opera in one act |
| Original language: | English |
| Music: | Gian-Carlo Menotti |
| Libretto : | Gian-Carlo Menotti |
| Premiere: | December 24, 1951 |
| Place of premiere: | NBC Studios New York |
| Place and time of the action: | Judea at the time of the birth of Christ |
| people | |
Amahl and the Night Visitors ( English Amahl and the Night Visitors ) is an opera in one act by Gian-Carlo Menotti . The libretto in English comes from the composer himself (German translation: Kurt Honolka ). It premiered on December 24, 1951 in New York in the NBC studios and was broadcast live on television. Menotti had written the opera especially for American television.
The opera is v. a. in America as a classic, not least because of its unique character of a Christmas and fairy tale opera . This has made it very popular with children and has become the most-performed US opera of the twentieth century.
action
The opera takes place around the time of the birth of Christ in Judea. 12-year-old Amahl is disabled - one of his legs is paralyzed, so he can only move around with a crutch that he made himself. Amahl has a blooming imagination and sometimes tells lies. It is evening. Amahl is sitting in front of his house and playing the flute. His mother, a poor widow, calls him to come into the house. The boy does not follow immediately, so the mother goes out herself and fetches him in. When asked what else is so exciting outside at night, Amahl tells of a big star with a tail. The mother - used to his stories - does not believe him and is worried about the future ( duet and aria by Amahl). Finally the mother and son go to bed.
This is followed by the appearance of the Three Kings (Kaspar, Melchior, Balthasar). You are on your way to Bethlehem with your page . You pass the widow's house and knock. Amahl is asked by his mother to go to the door. When he tries to explain to her that there are three kings outside, the mother doesn't believe him and gets angry. When she finally goes to the door herself, she first shrinks back, frightened, and then invites the three kings in. They hope to find accommodation for the night. While the mother goes into the forest to look for sticks, Amahl is talking to the kings (Aria of Kaspar). When she returns, she sends Amahl to look for other shepherds so that they can bring something to eat and receive the kings worthily. In the meantime, she admires the gifts that the kings want to bring to the Christ child ( Quartet Mother and Kings). The shepherds come, present their gifts and dance for the kings. Then they say goodbye, and everyone in the shepherd's hut prepares for the night's rest.
While the kings are asleep, the mother's gold aria cannot rest, and she actually tries to steal a piece of gold for herself and her child. The bellboy catches her stealing and there is a great riot. King Melchior calms the situation down and tells his mother to keep the gold (Melchior's aria). But this, touched by the story of the baby Jesus , no longer wants the gold. Amahl offers to give the unknown child his crutch. When he hands it over to the kings, a miracle occurs: Amahl can walk normally. The overjoyed mother then lets her son accompany the kings to the manger.
Recordings
- 1978 - Video with Teresa Stratas , Robert Sapolsky u. a. under the direction of Arvin Brown
- 1990 - Cast recording with Rosemary Kuhlmann, Chet Allen a. a. under the direction of Thomas Schippers
- 1998 - with Lorna Haywood, John Dohson a. a. under the direction of David Syrus
Web links
- Action by Amahl and the nocturnal visitors to Opera-Guide landing page due to URL change currently unavailable