The Vancouver Opera digital 2020–2021 season continues December 12th with the premiere of the holiday classic Amahl and the Night Visitors. Composed by Gian Carlo Menotti, it was the first opera written specifically for television broadcast and quickly became a holiday favourite, Amahl and the Night Visitors will touch audiences with its heartwarming story and impact of community.
“Following public acclaim and critical success of La Voix humaine, I am delighted to announce our next production to premiere in our 2020-2021 digital season,” says Tom Wright, Vancouver Opera General Director. “The story of Amahl and the Night Visitors is a classic holiday opera and first premiered in 1951 for home audiences. We can experience this story of humanity and immerse ourselves in a traditional holiday story on our screens, safely in our homes. For Vancouver Opera, this production is a true family creation with the son of Maestro Leslie Dala, Andreas Dala, in the title role of Amahl.”
The father and son duo of Music Director Leslie Dala and Andreas Dala performing in the title role of Amahl. Joining them on stage is a brilliant cast of artists, all originally from British Columbia, and an intriguing original set designed by Patrick Rizotti.
Sarah Jane Pelzer returns to Vancouver Opera where she last directed Cendrillon and Les Larmes du Couteau with the Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program. In 2019 Sarah directed Amahl and the Night Visitors for Opera Kelowna.
“Amahl and the Night Visitors gives us an opportunity to see the power of optimism and trust in the life of Amahl and those around him,” says director Sarah Jane Pelzer. “We see a big journey as Amahl understands his own potential and his Mother understands the importance of letting him go. With both majestic and campy moments, this story is beautiful, fun and very human. I’m excited to share the world of a boy who is a bundle of light and goes through the opera spreading that light out.”
Vancouver Opera’s Amahl and the Night Visitors makes its digital debut December 12, 2020 at 7:30pm. Get access to the opera or the whole digital season online at vancouveropera.ca .