Amahl and the Night Visitors

Composer : Gian Carlo Menotti
Librettist : Gian Carlo Menotti
Opera Year : 1951

Roles in this Opera include :
Amahl
Amahl's Mother
Balthazar
Kaspar
Melchior

Pieces in this Opera include :
All that gold!
Don't cry, mother dear
Have you seen a child
This is my box

Productions of this Opera are listed below:
Amahl and the Night Visitors

Reviews of this Opera are listed below:
Amahl and the Night Visitors review

Publications related to this Opera are listed below:
Amahl and the Night Visitors vocal score

AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS

Amahl, a young, crippled shepherd boy, lives in abject poverty with his mother. Their flocks have been sold and their money has all but run out. As the curtain rises, Amahl is sitting outside, playing his shepherd’s pipe, watching the night sky. Despite his mother calling him in, he defies her and stays outside. Eventually he hobbles in, and describes the amazing star he has seen to his disbelieving mother. She is fed up with his lies and tall stories, including one about a “leopard with a woman’s head”, so doesn’t believe Amahl’s latest tale. She believes that hunger has gone to Amahl’s head, and the thought that both of them may have to go begging reduces her to tears. Amahl comforts his mother by painting a rosy picture of their future, even if he does think that people will throw gold to stop his mother’s singing! Both she and Amahl go to bed and settle down for the night.

The Three Kings approach, singing from afar, and their song wakes Amahl. He spies King Melchior with a coffer of gold, King Balthazar carrying a chalice of myrrh, and King Kasper with an urn of incense. In front of them walks the Page, carrying everything else, including a parrot in a cage! When Melchior knocks at the door, Amahl’s mother sends him to open it. In a classic comic scene, Amahl peeks round the door and tries to persuade his Mother what he has seen, (first one, then two, then three kings). She, of course, does not believe him. Only when she opens the door herself does she bow to the royal procession and let them in.

The Kings solemnly process to the fireside and sit down in front of the wide-eyed Amahl. His mother rushes out for firewood, instructing Amahl not to bother the Kigns or ask questions, which, fo course, he promptly does. Amahl has to shout his questions to King Kasper, who is somewhat deaf, but the old King is delighted to show Amahl what is in his jewelled casket: magic stones, beads and licorice.

His mother returns and asks Amahl to go and fetch the shepherds, and for them to bring food for the Kings. She is irresistibly drawn to the pile of treasures the Kings have with them, and they explain they are gifts for a special Child, for whom angels sings and the seas bow down. For Amahl’s mother, there is only one special child, her own, and she sees him hungry and cold.

The shepherds arrive, bearing a wide variety of food for the Kings, including olives, quinces, chestnuts and goats’ cheese. (A veritable feast, in fact!) Shyly the shepherds push each other forward to dance for the Kings, with Amahl and an old shepherd playing the music on their pipes. The Kings thank them politely for both their dancing and their gifts. As the shepherds leave, Amahl asks King Kasper if one of the magic stones could cure him, but the deaf Kasper doesn’t hear him.

The Kings and Amahl fall asleep, but Amahl’s mother cannot take her eyes off the pile of gold, guarded by the Page. She realises that just a little of it could save Amahal, and she grabs a handful. The Page instantly wakes up and grabs her, crying 'Thief!' Amahl springs to her rescue, hitting the Page in an attempt to free his mother. The Kings are appalled, but at their signal, the Page finally releases Amahl’s mother. Melchior explains to her that she can keep the treasure; the Child they seek will build a kingdom on love, not gold. Ashamed, Amahl’s mother gives the gold back, saying she has waited for such a King to come herself, but has nothing to give him.

Amahl steps forward and offers his crutch, and suddenly everyone realises he has just walked unaided for the first time. Amahl is soon running and jumping around the room, his mother following afraid that he might fall. When he does, it’s through trying too much too early! The kings lay their hands on the blessed Amahl and collect their treasures to go. Amahl begs his mother to let him go with them, and surprisingly she lets him. She gives the usual maternal instructions to wear his hat, and he asks her to feed his pet bird, and they will miss each other very much. Finally, the Kings and Amahl leave to find the Child, and as they follow the star off into the night, Amahl’s mother waves goodbye from the cottage door.

© 2005 Kirsty Young
Internet rights 2005 OperaTalent