DANBURY, CONN. — A much-loved holiday tradition will continue in December when the Western Connecticut State University Opera Ensemble will stage Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a colorful, fast-moving opera that has delighted both children and adults for more than half a century.     

 

The 8 p.m. performances on Friday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 16, will mark the 12th annual stagings of “Amahl” at Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Tickets will be $12 for adults, $8 for senior citizens and $5 for children under the age of 12. WestConn students will be admitted free with valid ID.

This year’s performances will feature a triple cast in the principal roles of Amahl and his mother. The three local actors performing the role of Amahl will be Nicholas Marmor, 10, and Joseph Benitez, 9, both of Hamden, Conn.; and Frank Ruggerone, 11, of Clinton Corners, N.Y. The three women who will portray Amahl’s mother will be Victoria Chiera, of Danbury; Roxsand Ramos, of Brewster, N.Y.; and Giulia Sanford, of Greenwich. The Kings will be played by Charles Reid, of New Milford; Hernan Berisso, of Greenwich; Sam Manandhar, of Stratford; Derek Waldron, of Columbia; and Mike Carnaroli, of Middlebury. 

Menotti wrote “Amahl” as a one-act opera in English for television in 1951 and it quickly became an annual holiday favorite, returning to NBC for 16 consecutive Christmas seasons. “Amahl” is the story of a poor, crippled shepherd boy who crosses paths with three Kings who are following a bright Eastern star to Bethlehem. This chance meeting sparks a chain of events that unfold into an uplifting and touching story, traditional to the Christmas spirit.

Professor of Music Dr. Margaret Astrup, the opera’s director, said, “‘Amahl’ is a wonderful introduction to opera for children because of its youthful cast, colorful costumes and timeless morality.”

In addition to the popular evening performances on Dec. 15 and 16, the WCSU Opera Ensemble will present “Amahl” at two area churches on Sunday, Dec. 10. One show will be at 3 p.m. at Saint Anne’s Cathedral, 515 South Main St. in Waterbury, and the other at 7 p.m. at the Bethesda Lutheran Church, 305 Saint Ronan St. in New Haven. “Amahl” also will be staged at 10 a.m. on Thursday Dec.14, and Friday Dec.15, in Ives Concert Hall on the WestConn Midtown campus. Tickets for this daytime performance will be $5, and reservations are required. Call (203) 837-8614 to reserve a seat.

For more information, call the music department at (203) 837-8350 or the WestConn Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.