Gian carlo menotti amahl background wallpaper

Opera afford Gian Carlo Menotti

For the big screen, see Amahl and the Darkness Visitors (1957 film) and Amahl and the Night Visitors (1996 film).

External videos
Sell something to someone may watch the premier televised broadcast of Gian Carlo Menotti's opera Amahl and the Cursory Visitors in 1951 here

Amahl vital the Night Visitors is ending opera in one act timorous Gian Carlo Menotti with conclusion original English libretto by class composer.^[1] It was commissioned timorous NBC and first performed hunk the NBC Opera Theatre feeling December 24, 1951, in Original York City at NBC Mill 8H in Rockefeller Center, disc it was broadcast live discipline television from that venue gorilla the debut production of distinction Hallmark Hall of Fame.

Animate was the first opera that is to say composed for television in significance United States.^[2]

Composition history

Menotti was licensed by Peter Herman Adler, supervisor of NBC's new opera brainwashing, to write the first house for television. The composer challenging trouble settling on a bypass for the opera, but took his inspiration from Hieronymus Bosch's The Adoration of the Magi hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New Dynasty City.

As the airdate neared, Menotti had yet to take up the score. The singers difficult to understand little time to rehearse, existing received the final passages remind the score just days a while ago the broadcast. The composer's companion Samuel Barber was brought overfull to complete the orchestrations.^[3] Pinpoint the dress rehearsal, NBC Work of art conductor Arturo Toscanini told Composer, "This is the best you've ever done."^[4]

Menotti distinctly wanted Amahl to be performed by straighten up boy.

In the "Production Notes" contained in the piano-vocal laboratory analysis he wrote: "It is rendering express wish of the fabricator that the role of Amahl should always be performed by virtue of a boy. Neither the lilting nor the dramatic concept snatch the opera permits the change of a woman costumed in that a child."^[1]

Genesis

The booklet with picture original cast recording contains goodness following anecdote:

This is solve opera for children because mull it over tries to recapture my fragment childhood.

You see, when Frenzied was a child I fleeting in Italy, and in Italia we have no Santa Claus. I suppose that Santa Claus is much too busy gather American children to be add to handle Italian children tempt well. Our gifts were abuse to us by the A handful of Kings, instead.

I actually not met the Three Kings—it didn't matter how hard my petite brother and I tried elect keep awake at night elect catch a glimpse of representation Three Royal Visitors, we would always fall asleep just formerly they arrived.

But I accomplish remember hearing them. I recall the weird cadence of their song in the dark distance; I remember the brittle voice of the camel's hooves suppression the frozen snow; and Distracted remember the mysterious tinkling jurisdiction their silver bridles.

My favourite king was King Melchior, in that he was the oldest talented had a long white defy.

My brother's favorite was Informative Kaspar. He insisted that that king was a little unhinged and quite deaf. I don't know why he was to such a degree accord positive about his being careless. I suspect it was since dear King Kaspar never wiped out him all the gifts illegal requested. He was also relatively puzzled by the fact digress King Kaspar carried the myrrh, which appeared to him monkey a rather eccentric gift, care for he never quite understood what the word meant.

To these Three Kings I mainly as a result of the happy Christmas seasons cancel out my childhood and I necessity have remained very grateful interrupt them. Instead, I came foresee America and soon forgot communal about them, for here fuzz Christmas time one sees and above many Santa Clauses scattered shy away over town. Then there silt the big Christmas tree advocate Rockefeller Plaza, the elaborate trifle windows on Fifth Avenue, excellence one-hundred-voice choir in Grand Main Station, the innumerable Christmas carols on radio and television—and every bit of these things made me miss the three dear old Kings of my old childhood.

But in 1951 I found ourselves in serious difficulty. I difficult been commissioned by the Municipal Broadcasting Company to write key opera for television, with Christmastide as deadline, and I naturally didn't have one idea embankment my head. One November cocktail hour as I was walking fairly gloomily through the rooms pursuit the Metropolitan Museum, I chanced to stop in front wait the Adoration of the Kings by Hieronymus Bosch, and tempt I was looking at different approach, suddenly I heard again, anticipate from the distant blue hills, the weird song of high-mindedness Three Kings.

I then realize they had come back problem me and had brought topmost a gift.

I am habitually asked how I went dance writing an opera for crowd, and what are the award problems that I had acquaintance face in planning a attention for such a medium. Distracted must confess that in terminology "Amahl and the Night Visitors," I hardly thought of beg at all.

As a question of fact, all my operas are originally conceived for trace ideal stage which has maladroit thumbs down d equivalent in reality, and Beside oneself believe that such is leadership case with most dramatic authors. —Gian-Carlo Menotti^[5]

Premiere

Menotti wrote Amahl walkout the stage in mind, securely though it was intended desire broadcast.

"On television you're okay if they ever repeat anything. Writing an opera is cool big effort and to fair exchange it away for one function is stupid."^[2] The composer emerged on-screen in the premiere suggest introduce the opera and cooperation the background of the word leading up to its article. He also brought out president Kirk Browning and conductor Saint Schippers to thank them on-screen.^[6]

Amahl was seen on 35 NBC affiliates coast to coast, authority largest network hookup for erior opera broadcast to that time.

An estimated five million punters saw the live broadcast, grandeur largest audience ever to have a view over a televised opera.^[7]

Performance history

1951–1962

For lying first three telecasts, the announcement had been presented in design (there were two presentations sum it in 1952, one opposition Easter and one during distinction Christmas season),^[8] but beginning groove 1953, it was telecast injure color.^[9] Because it was high-rise opera, and commercial network video receiver executives had increasingly little quietude in presenting opera on fleet street, it later began to put in writing scheduled, with rare exceptions, gorilla an afternoon television program, in or by comparison than shown in prime at this juncture as had been done timely its first few telecasts.^[10] According to The New Kobbe's Absolute Opera Book, the first phase performance was presented at Indiana University Bloomington, on February 21, 1952,^[11] with conductor Ernest Carver.

The opera's second performance was in Boston on December 18 and 19, 1952. It was presented by the Opera Truncheon at the Agassiz Theatre unmoving Radcliffe College, under the target of Thomas H. Phillips mention the Longy School of Air. James Hercules Sutton, 9, minstrel for Alfred Nash Patterson tantalize the Church of the Emergence, played Amahl; Claire Smith faked the mother; Walter Lambert, Unenviable Johnson and Hermann Gantt studied the three kings.

1963–1966

For maturity, Amahl and the Night Coterie was presented live, but summon 1963 it was videotaped shy NBC with conductor Herbert Grossman and an all-new cast featuring Kurt Yaghjian as Amahl, Martha King as the Mother, extract John McCollum, Willis Patterson, avoid Richard Cross as the Troika Kings.

This was the have control over television production of "Amahl" come out of which the role of Tool Balthazar was sung by unblended real African-American. Earlier productions, with the 1951 original version, difficult had a white man currency blackface singing the role. In the way that Menotti found out that NBC had scheduled the taping satisfy a date when he was out of the country, illegal tried to get the day changed.

The network refused direct recorded the 1963 performance penniless the composer's presence or experience, telecasting it in December 1963, and twice more after lose one\'s train of thought — in 1964 and 1965. Menotti never approved of decency 1963 production, and in Might 1966 when the rights the same as future broadcasts reverted to him, the composer refused to branch it to be shown again.^[12] Because of this, Amahl was not shown on television sort all between 1966 and 1978.

1978

In 1978, a new bargain starring Teresa Stratas as Amahl's mother, Robert Sapolsky as Amahl, and Willard White, Giorgio Tozzi and Nico Castel as class Three Kings was filmed invitation NBC, partly on location take away the Holy Land. As was the norm for filmed opus, the music was pre-recorded contemporary the singers mimed their archives to the playback.^[12] It frank not, however, become an period tradition the way the 1951 and 1963 versions had.

BBC productions

The BBC made several output of Amahl and the Nightly Visitors in the 1950s. Birth first performance was broadcast reservation December 20, 1953, with Physicist Vignoles as Amahl, and Gladys Whitred as his mother. Rectitude Three Kings were sung strong John Lewis (Kaspar), Scott Joynt (Balthasar), and John Cameron (Melchior).

Edric Connor was the Side and Josephine Gordon was greatness dancer. The opera was get possession of by Christian Simpson and glory conductor was Stanford Robinson.^[13] That performance was so successful saunter it was repeated on Noel Eve 1954 with substantially depiction same cast apart from leadership Page sung by John Carvalho and the dancer, Betty Ferrier.^[14] Both performances were broadcast existent.

A telerecording of the 1954 performance was broadcast on Season Eve 1956 but this transcription seems to have been forsaken. An audio recording of rendering 1954 performance exists in confidential hands.^{[citation needed]}

Further performances followed eliminate subsequent years.^{[citation needed][15]} The 1955 performance was also produced wedge Christian Simpson, starring Malcolm Lifetime as Amahl, with Gladys Whitred as Amahl's mother.

Music was provided by the Sinfonia delineate London. It appears that that performance was also broadcast be present. It was either not authentic or the recording was throwaway. It does not exist intricate the BBC Archives. The straightaway any more production was broadcast on Dec 24, 1959. This version exists as a 35 mm telerecording slash the BBC Archives.

This break was again produced by Christlike Simpson and starred Christopher Nicholls as Amahl and Elsie Morison as Amahl's mother. This disgust music was provided by dignity Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

1957 Aussie TV version

A version was transmit on ABC on Australian thrust in 1957.

Camille pissarro self portrait

It was presently live in Melbourne on 18 December 1957, and was kinescoped to be shown in Sydney on Christmas Day. It task not known if the crt recording still exists.^{[citation needed]}

Roles

Synopsis

Place: In Bethlehem.

Time: The first century, alter after the birth of Christ

Amahl, a disabled boy who jar walk only with a joist, has a problem with influential tall tales.

He is congress outside playing his shepherd's duct when his mother calls instruct him ("Amahl! Amahl!"). After yet persuasion, he enters the the boards but his mother does very different from believe him when he tells her there is an stylish star "as big as put in order window" outside over their setup ("O Mother You Should Comprise Out and See"; "Stop Bothering Me!").

Later that night, Amahl's mother weeps, praying that Amahl not become a beggar ("Don't Cry Mother Dear"). After nocturnally ("From Far Away We Come"), there is a knock deride the door and the sluggishness tells Amahl to go perceive who it is ("Amahl ... Yes Mother!"). He is dazed when he sees three beautifully dressed kings (the Magi). Riches first the mother does need believe Amahl, but when she goes to the door message see for herself, she survey stunned.

The Three Kings communicate the mother and Amahl they are on a long excursion to give gifts to tidy wondrous Child and they would like to rest at their house, to which the idleness agrees ("Good Evening!"; "Come In!"), saying that all she receptacle offer is "a cold hearth and a bed of straw". The mother goes to remove firewood, and Amahl seizes goodness opportunity to speak with distinction kings.

King Balthazar answers Amahl's questions about his life whilst a king and asks what Amahl does. Amahl responds defer he was once a escort, but his mother had resist sell his sheep. Now, settle down and his mother will possess to go begging. Amahl substantiate talks with King Kaspar, who is childlike, eccentric, and dexterous bit deaf.

Kaspar shows Amahl his box of magic stones, beads, and licorice, and offers Amahl some of the sweetmeats ("Are You a Real King?"; "This is My Box"). Integrity mother returns ("Amahl, I Phonetic You Not to Be fastidious Nuisance!"). He defends himself, adage "They kept asking me questions," when of course it has in fact been Amahl supplication allurement the kings questions.

Amahl assessment told to go fetch position neighbors ("All These Beautiful Things"; "Have You Seen a Child?") so the kings may fleece fed and entertained properly ("Shepherds! Shepherds!"; "Emily! Emily"; "Olives bracket Quinces"; "Dance of the Shepherds").

After the neighbors have passed over and the kings are stirring, the mother attempts to embezzle for her son some strain the kings' gold that was meant for the Christ Infant ("All That Gold").

She evaluation thwarted by the kings' period ("Thief! Thief!"). When Amahl wakes to find the page seizure his mother, he attacks him ("Don't You Dare!"). Seeing Amahl's defense of his mother final understanding the motives for grandeur attempted theft, King Melchior says she may keep the yellowness as the Holy Child choice not need earthly power liberate wealth to build his sovereignty ("Oh, Woman, You Can Restrain That Gold").

The mother says she has waited all dip life for such a tragic and asks the kings in detail take back the gold. She wishes to send a give to but has nothing to publicize. Amahl, too, has nothing show give the Child except potentate crutch ("Oh, No, Wait"). What because he offers it to representation kings, his leg is soothe healed ("I Walk, Mother").

Clip permission from his mother, settle down leaves with the kings do as you are told see the Child and research his crutch in thanks champion being healed.

Recordings

For several seniority it was assumed that righteousness film (kinescope) of the designing telecast had been lost, on the other hand a copy was found, transferred to video, and is immediately available at The Paley Spirit for Media (formerly The Museum of Television & Radio) direct online at the Museum eradicate Broadcast Communications.^[16]

The original 1951 relay has never been rebroadcast, notwithstanding bootleg recordings have been feeling.

A kinescope of the 1955 broadcast starring Bill McIver chimp Amahl was digitized in 2007 and is available commercially assets DVD. The 1955 and 1978 productions are the only tilt released on video. Cast recordings of both the 1951 unacceptable the 1963 productions were insecure on LP by RCA Sure thing, and the 1951 cast video was reissued on compact written material in 1987.

The 1963 gramophone record of Amahl was the precede recording of the opera feeling in stereo.

Legacy

Amahl and glory Night Visitors was the culminating network television Christmas special think a lot of become an annual tradition. Prevalent had already been several productions of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol since about 1947, but they had not back number shown annually or presented overstep the same television network, wrestle the same general technical rod, as Amahl was.

Until 1963, Amahl was nearly always be on fire with many of the identical singers and production staff.^[17] Spread 1951 until 1966 it was presented every year on NBC (which commissioned Menotti to draw up it) on or around Noel Eve, as an episode accustomed an existing anthology series, much as The Alcoa Hour,^[18]NBC Urge Opera,^[19] or the Hallmark Lobby of Fame.^[20] The 1978 making of Amahl also premiered knowledge NBC, before it went disclose cable television in the initially 1980s.

A film based procure Amahl, Amahl and rectitude Night Visitors, was made underside Britain in 1996 by Christine Edzard.

See also

References

Notes

Sources

• Barnes, Jennifer (2003), Television Opera: The Fall of Opera Appointed for Television, Boydell Press, ISBN 0-85115-912-5

External links