‘Amahl and the Night Visitors’ Returning For Holidays

DANBURY — The Western Connecticut State University Opera Ensemble will continue a holiday tradition when it presents the Gian Carlo Menotti holiday classic Amahl and the Night Visitors for two performances on Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15.

The 13th annual staging at WestConn of the English-language one-act opera, originally commissioned for presentation by the NBC television network in December 1951, will be at 8 pm on Friday and 3 pm on Saturday in the Ives Concert Hall in White Hall, 181 White Street.

Admission will be $12 for adults, and $8 for senior citizens, non-WestConn students and children under 12.

Professor of Music Dr Margaret Astrup is the director and orchestra conductor for the performances, which will feature WestConn music students and community performers in the principal roles. Dr Astrup will be supported by Meagan Johnson, choreographer and opera assistant; Daria Grisel, opera assistant; and Regina Sergiej, costumes and lighting.

Cast in the title role are 10-year-old Nicholas Marmor, of Hamden, who will perform on Friday evening; and 13-year-old Frank Ruggerone, of Clinton Corners, N.Y., who will appear on Saturday. The role of Amahl’s mother will be played on Friday by Victoria Chiera of Danbury; and on Saturday Giulia Sanford, of Greenwich.

Kaspar will be portrayed on Friday by Sam Manandhar of Stratford, and by Tyler Cohen of Naugatuck on Saturday. Melchior will be performed by Hernan Berisso of Riverside on Friday, and Dan Ahrens of Wolcott on Saturday.

Charles Reid, music minister of Faith Church in New Milford, will play Balthazar, and Eric Dreher of Morris will portray the Page in both performances.

In notes describing his composition of the opera, Menotti observed his story of an impoverished and crippled shepherd boy’s encounter with the Kings on their way to Bethlehem – and the heart-warming outcome of their chance meeting – was inspired by his fond memories of the Three Kings as the legendary source of Christmas gifts during his childhood in Italy.

During a visit to the Metropolitan Museum in New York, he recalled, “I chanced to stop in front of ‘The Adoration of the Kings’ by Hieronymus Bosch, and as I was looking at it, suddenly I heard again, coming from the distant blue hills, the song of the Three Kings. I then realized that they had come back to me, and had brought me a gift.”

Tickets will be available at the door. For additional information, visit wcsu.edu/tickets or call 837-8499.