“Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Gian-Carlo Menotti’s beloved Christmas Nativity opera, will be given three performances in three different venues in and around New Orleans this weekend. The work is being performed by the Opera Festa Singers under the direction of Robert Wagner.
Originally composed by Menotti for NBC Television in December 1951 and presented under license from G. Schirmer, Inc., “Amahl and the Night Visitors” is the heartwarming story of a disabled young boy who lives with his widowed mother and can only walk with a crutch.
One night, when a large star is shining brightly, three kings appear at their door, seeking lodging on their way to greet the newborn Christ, for whom they are bringing gifts. Amahl is allowed to accompany them, and he is miraculously healed when he offers to give, as a gift, his most valuable possession — the crutch that has enabled him to walk.
Double cast as Amahl are Mia DiGiovanni and Cloud Gardside, and Maria Hefte and Sarah Mahoney trade off as the Mother. The Three Kings are Richard Hobson, Luke Sirinides and Alfred Harper, and Ryan Kelly-Moore is the Page who accompanies them.
Dancers in the production are Jorden Majeau, Madyson Harris, Mailk Banks and Vieta Collins. Majeau is the choreographer. Steven Edwards is the music director/pianist, assisted by Brandon Banks. Production assistants are Taylor Witherspoon and Hallie Legendre.
Singers in the chorus include sopranos Jeanette Hofler, Marilyn Landiak, Suzanne Sievers-Bartlett and Taylor Witherspoon. Altos are Lark Fall, Emily Harville, Jane Hill and Hallie Legendre. Tenors are Adriel Aviles, Craig Leydecker and Michael Robillard and basses are James Andrews, Tommy Bethune, Richard Bienvenu, Jim Grice, Richard Hofler, Rad Jennings and Seth Serpas.
Props and sets are provided by Jefferson Performing Arts under the supervision of JPA Artistic Director Dennis Assaf. The piece will run between 45 and 50 minutes with no intermission. All performances are free, but an offering of $25 is suggested.
Performance venues and times are as follows:
- Friday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.: St. Dominic Catholic Church, 775 Harrison Ave., New Orleans
- Saturday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m.: St. Angela Merici Church, 901 Beverly Garden Drive, Metairie
- Sunday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m.: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 7100 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.nola.com ’
