The Story

You won't find the story of Amahl and the Night Visitors in the Bible, but you will recognize it as a story of Christmas. Amahl experiences the miracle of our Savior's birth in a personal way. This story exists outside the Bible and helps one imagine what the Magi might have encountered on their journey to visit and adore the new born King. This opera, describing one incident during the journey of the Magi, is ideally suited for presentation during Epiphany. The Magi, with all their wisdom, knew The Star announced the arrival of the Son of Man. Amahl, with an open heart and child's curiosity, senses the importance of this celestial light, also. In giving from his heart his most precious and necessary possession, he is blessed with a healing miracle.

Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first opera commissioned for TV and was first performed on December 24, 1951 in New York City, at the NBC studios, where it was broadcast on television as the debut production of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Gian Carlo Menotti wrote a brilliant combination of drama and comedy that is entertaining for all ages.