The Department of Parks,
Recreation, and Community Facilities will host the beloved children’s opera
“Amahl and the Night Visitors” on Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m. at the Landmark
Theater located at 6 North Laurel Street.
One of
Richmond’s longest running traditions; the Department has offered free
performances of this opera since the 1960s.
Pegged as the unofficial kick-off to the holiday festivities in the
Richmond area, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” is perhaps the most recognized
holiday opera experience for children of all ages. “This outstanding production
exposes youngsters and adults to the medium of opera and brings together
diverse communities to share in a common holiday tradition,” says Dr. Norman C.
Merrifield, director of Richmond’s Department of Parks, Recreation, and
Community Facilities.
The opera was
written in 1951 by Gian-Carlo Menotti and focuses on Amahl, a young peasant
shepherd boy with a talent for embellishing fact with a varnish of fantasy. As the opera opens, Amahl is very excited
because he has seen a truly strange and wondrous star outside, one with a long
tail the likes of which he has never seen. His Mother dismisses his news, but a
knock on their door reveals three kings who are following that very star. The story unfolds as shepherds come from far
and near to observe the visitors, and ultimately leads to the magic of a
Christmas miracle.
Staging
director George C. Macklin, Jr. will be retiring after a 49-year affiliation
with the production, having started as King Balthazar before taking over the
director’s chair. He is joined by
assistant director Charmaine McGilvary and music director Diana Covington
Greer. Principal cast members include
Matthew Barbieri as Amahl, Bekah Hughes Davis as his Mother, J. David
Clatterbuck, Raymond Elmore, and Ben Miller as the Kings Kaspar,
Balthazar, and Melchior respectively, and Stanley Fountain as the Page.
This event is
free to the public. Doors will open at
3:30 p.m. and no reservations are necessary. For more information,
please call (804) 646-1031.
