An Opera Holiday Tradition
 The American composer, Gian Carlo Menotti (1911 - 2007) was a pioneer at bringing opera to all Americans through radio and television. In 1939 he composed the first opera specifically for radio, The Old Maid and the Thief. In 1951, he composed the first made-for-television opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors.
Amahl and the Night Visitors tells the story of a poor, crippled boy who meets the Three Kings as they are journeying to Bethlehem to visit the Child. The Kings proudly show the boy and his mother the gifts they have brought. Later that night, the mother sings to herself about the unfairness of giving precious gifts to this baby when her own son is starving. She reaches for a bag of gold, but is caught by the Kings’ page. King Melchoir is understanding and says that she may keep the gold, because the Child they seek has no need of it. The mother refuses the gold, and Amahl offers his own crutch as a gift to take to the Child. As he hands over his crutch, he miraculously takes a step, then leaps and dances.
Amahl and the Night Visitors was broadcast on NBC every year from 1951-1966. For the first twelve seasons it was performed live! Although it is no longer broadcast on television, it remains one of the most-performed American operas and a holiday tradition for many families.
Here are some questions to discuss with your family:
How does music play a role in your own holiday celebrations or traditions?
Do you have a favorite television show that is only shown once a year?
What is the difference between watching an opera on television and watching it live in a theater?
If you could turn any television show into an opera, which one would you choose? What do imagine the music would sound like? |
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