Amahl and the Night Visitors (Public)

Parchment

Amahl has gone out to tell the other shepherds nearby about the visiting kings. They all gather together to come and greet the kings, bringing gifts of food and performing a dance in the visitors' honour.

Hear the shepherds calling to each other

Amahl decides that he wants to give his crutch to the baby Jesus in person. Mother isn't sure about letting him go, but eventually she says that he should go, so that he can give thanks for the miracle that has happened. As Amahl leaves with the kings, the shepherds come out to say goodbye, singing their farewells as the travellers disappear in the distance - the last music in the opera.

Hear the end of the opera as the shepherds say goodbye

Amahl and the Night Visitors is an opera by Gian-Carlo Menotti, inspired by a painting which Menotti saw in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

The Adoration of the Magi, painted by Hieronymus Bosch

This is the painting that inspired Menotti. What stories can you see happening here?

Mother decides she has had enough of Amahl's stories, so she gets out of bed and goes to the door to look for herself. She gets a bit of a shock - not only are there three kings outside, but they are following the star that Amahl was talking about earlier! Mother invites the kings inside and then goes out to gather some wood for the fire so that the visitors won't be cold.

Hear Mother opening the door to the kings

Amahl and the Night Visitors Digital Storybook Produced by David Jones for Opera Anywhere, 2020

Amahl: Catrin Lewis Mother: Emily Kyte King Kaspar: Mike Woodward Text: David Jones Illustrations: Alejandro Tamagno Choreography: Ishan Mahabir-Stokes Chorus Arrangement: Jonathan Pease Video Editing: David Jones

When Menotti saw the painting, he was reminded of his childhood in Italy, where children get their Christmas present from the three kings, not Santa Claus. He decided to write an opera that takes place during the journey of the kings as they follow the star to Bethlehem.

Amahl and the Night Visitors 12-24-1951

Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first opera composed especially for television rather than the stage. In this video you can hear Menotti talk about his inspiration, and you can also watch that very first performance if you'd like to.

Does your family have a special Christmas tradition?

Meet the Singers - Catrin Lewis

Soprano Catrin Lewis talks about playing the role of Amahl

Meet the Singers - Emily Kyte

Mezzo soprano Emily Kyte talks about playing the role of Mother

To help them carry all those gifts, the kings have brought the Page with them. He doesn't say much, but he plays a crucial role at the end of the opera.

Meet the Singers - Mike Woodward

Tenor Mike Woodward talks about playing the role of King Kaspar

While his mother is gone, Amahl takes the chance to ask the visitors lots of questions about what it's like to be a king. Balthazar says he's no different from other people. Amahl then tries to ask Kaspar about his parrot and his precious box, which takes a while as Kaspar is very deaf and doesn't understand the questions at first!

Hear Amahl questioning Balthazar and Kaspar

The kings knock on the door of the hut. Mother sends Amahl to see who's there, and he can't believe his eyes. He tells his mother that there's a king outside and she doesn't believe him, so she sends him back to look again. Amahl looks again and admits he was wrong - really there are two kings! Mother really doesn't believe him now, but she gives him one last chance. Amahl opens the door once more and tells her he didn't tell the truth again: there are actually THREE kings outside!

Hear Amahl checking to see who's at the door

Kaspar is the oldest of the kings and brings the gift of myrrh. He is very deaf, and has brought his parrot and a box of precious things with him.

Melchior brings the gift of gold and does most of the talking once the kings arrive at Amahl's hut.

Hear the Kings singing as they approach

Balthazar brings the gift of incense. He's not as talkative as the other two kings and only gives short answers when Amahl asks him lots of questions!

Well done for learning all that music! You can use these videos to practice what you've learned, ready to perform with Opera Anywhere.

Chorus Extract 1   Conducted Backing Track

Chorus Extract 2   Conducted Backing Track

Chorus Extract 3   Conducted Backing Track

In Opera Anywhere's version of Amahl and the Night Visitors, you are the shepherds! When you first come on stage, you are calling out each other's names to say hello. Emily! Emily! Michael! Bartholemew! Then you present your gifts to the kings: olives, quinces, apples, raisins and much more. Let's start to learn the music together!

Amahl Learning Video Extract 1

Join David to learn the first part of the shepherds' music!

Amahl overhears this conversation and offers to give his only possession, his crutch, to the baby Jesus, even though he can't walk without it. He holds out the crutch to the kings, and a miracle happens: he starts to walk without any help! Amahl can't believe it at first, but soon he begins to run, dance and jump for joy!

Hear the moment where Amahl walks for the first time

When mother returns Melchior tells her that the kings are following the star in order to bring gifts to a special child - the baby Jesus. For a moment, mother thinks he might mean Amahl, but then she realises her mistake. He is a special child, though, she thinks. Why aren't they bringing beautiful gifts for him, too?

Hear Melchior and Mother sing about the special child

Everyone else has gone to sleep, but Mother can't stop thinking about how much gold the kings have brought with them. She wonders if they know what a difference it would make to her just to have a tiny piece of it so that she and Amahl could eat and stay warm. She reaches out to take some, but the Page wakes up and sees her. He shouts 'Thief! Thief!' and the kings wake up.

Hear Mother thinking about taking some of the gold

Why do you think Amahl's mother tries to take the gold?

The Story of Amahl and the Night Visitors

Amahl is playing his pipe and gazing up at the huge new star that has appeared in the sky. He can't take his eyes off it, and he doesn't come in when his mother calls. His mother gets frustrated when he doesn't do as he's told, and she keeps calling him. Amahl wants her to come out and see the star, but she thinks that he's making it up and refuses to look.

Hear Amahl describing the new star

Amahl is about twelve years old and has to use a crutch to get around. He lives with his mother in a simple hut. He used to be a shepherd, but his mother had to sell the sheep so that they could buy food, so now he keeps himself busy playing his pipe and inventing incredible stories.

Hear Amahl singing to his Mother

All of Mother's time is spent looking after Amahl and trying to make sure that he's safe and has enough to eat. She is a widow, so she has to look after him by herself. Sometimes she enjoys Amahl's stories, but sometimes she's too worried about other things and tells him off for making things up.

Hear Mother worrying about Amahl

Melchior sees that Mother did what she did out of love for Amahl, not out of greed. He tells her that she can keep the gold because the child they are looking for (Jesus) won't need it. He will build his kingdom on love, not gold. Mother hands back the gold, saying that if she were not so poor, she would also want to send a gift to this child who will bring love to the world.

Hear Melchior talking to mother about the gold

Eventually Amahl comes inside. He can't stop thinking about the star, but his mother still won't come and see it. She reminds him of all the other lies he has told recently Why should she believe him this time? As they get ready for bed Amahl sings a song to soothe his mother. As they fall asleep the kings' voices are heard in the distance.

Hear Mother telling Amahl off for his lies

Introduction Meet the Characters The Story of Amahl and the Night Visitors Your Turn! Practice Time!

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We've got one more bit of music to learn together: the final farewell from the shepherds to Amahl and the Kings. This is the last music that the audience hears, so let's aim for the very best singing we can!

Amahl Learning Video Extract 3

Join David to learn the final section of the opera!

After all that singing and dancing, everyone is tired and sleepy, but you've got a little bit more singing to do! Mother, Amahl, the shepherds and the kings all sing goodnight to one another.

Amahl Learning Video Extract 2

Join David again to learn this beautiful music!

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