Gian Carlo Menotti (pronounced [dʒan ˈkarlo meˈnɔtːi]; July 7, 1911 – February 1, 2007) was an Italian-American composer and librettist. Although he often referred to himself as an American composer, he kept his Italian citizenship. He wrote the classic Christmas opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, along with over two dozen other operas intended to appeal to popular taste.WIKIPEDIA
Amahl and the Night Visitors is an opera in one act by Gian Carlo Menotti with an original English libretto by the composer. It was commissioned by NBC and first performed by the NBC Opera Theatre on December 24, 1951, in New York City at NBC studio 8H in Rockefeller Center, where it was broadcast live on television from that venue as the debut production of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. It was the first opera specifically composed for television in America.
WIKIPEDIAAmahl, a boy known for his tall tales and the occasional lie, gets around on a crutch due to his disability. As he sits outside playing his shepherd's pipe, his mother calls for him to come inside. Amahl is slow to react to his mother's commands. Finally, after several attempts to get him inside, he walks into the house. Amahl tells his mom a grand story of a giant star rising high in the sky above their house. Of coarse she doesn't believe him and tell him to stop bothering her. Once the sun has set, Amahl's mother worries about her and her son's future.
VIDEO: Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti...Santa Rosa Symphonic Chorus, Dan Earl, director and conducting Santa Rosa Chamber Orchestra, Nicholas Xenelis, director Amahl: Danny Krive Mother: Melva Wheelwright Baltazar: Rob De Witt Melchior: Andrew Wheelwright Kaspar: Lynn Wheelwright Page: Jim Whittle Servants: Casey Hall, Jaden Groesbeck, Matt Kitchen Dancers: Jamie Meese, Christina Fullmer, Kristina Marsh, Nina Cheek, Marissa Kitchen, Sabrina Hall December 9, 2012 at the Glazer Center Live performance.
