GIANCARLO MENOTTI
Performances
9 May 1953 - Teatro Communale, Florence - Corena, Cordova, Lazzari, Capecchi; Stokowski
Recordings
9 May 1953 - Teatro Communale, Florence - Corena, Cordova, Lazzari, Capecchi; Stokowski
Menotti's opera Amahl and the Night Visitors was conceived of after he had been approached by the America television station NBC to create the first ever opera for television. It was first performed on Christmas Eve, 1951 and since then has been perfromed hundreds upon hundreds of times. The work is an adaptation of the Christmas story: Amahl, a young handicapped boy, and his mother [Simionato's role] are visited by three Kings; Balthazar, Melchior, and Kaspar; who are on their way to find the infant Christ child. The Kings rest the night with the boy and his mother, during which time Amahl's desperate mother is caught trying to steal some of the gold which is to be an offering to Christ. Melchior suggests that she be allowed to keep the gold, because Christ will rule his kingdom with love, not money, but Amahl's mother returns the gold, wishing she had something to give that could be presented to the divine child. Amahl decides to give his crutches as a gift and miraculously is returned to full health and is able to walk. The work ends with Amahl deciding to accompany the three Kings so that he himself is able to make the offering of his crutch to Christ.