AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS – SYNOPSIS
Time: The 1st century.
Place: Near Bethlehem.
Amahl is a crippled boy who, although he has a kind and pleasant heart, has a problem with telling tall tales and, occasionally, lies. Because of this, his mother does not believe him one evening when he tells her that there is an amazing star "as big as a window."
Later that night, there is a knock at the door and his mother tells him to go see who it is. He is amazed when he sees three splendidly dressed kings (obviously the Magi). They tell the mother and Amahl that they are on a long journey to give gifts to a wondrous child, and that they would like to rest at Amahl's house. The mother agrees, suspecting that the child they seek may be Amahl. She goes to fetch all of her neighbors, so that the kings may be fed and entertained properly.
Later that night, however, the mother, being poor and also sickened at the thought of her child being a beggar, attempts to steal some gold that was meant for the Christ Child, but is thwarted by the Kings' Page.
Upon seeing Amahl's weak defense of his mother, and realizing the mother's motives for the attempted theft, King Melchior says she may keep the gold, as the Holy Child will not need earthly power or wealth to build His kingdom.
The mother says that knowing of the Child's greatness, she wishes to send a gift but has nothing to send. Amahl, too, has nothing to give the Christ Child except his crutch, but he offers it, and as he does so, his leg is healed, and he joyfully leaves his mother and goes off with the three kings to see the child and give thanks for being healed.
Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first Christmas special to become an annual television tradition. From 1951 until 1966, it was presented on NBC (which commissioned Gian-Carlo Menotti to write it) on or around Christmas Eve.
For years it was presented live, but in 1963 it was videotaped with an all-new cast, and this version was shown from 1963 to 1966. After 1966, it seemed to have been retired from television – but in 1978, a new production, starring Teresa Stratas as Amahl's mother, was filmed by NBC, partly on location in the Holy Land. It, however, did not become an annual tradition the way the 1951 and 1963 versions had. This 1978 production is the only one released on video, but Cast recordings of both the 1951 and the 1963 productions were recorded by RCA Victor, and the 1951 cast recording was released on compact disc. The 1963 recording of "Amahl" was the first recording of the opera made in stereo.
There has also recently been a British television production of the opera (in 2002), but this production has not been broadcast in the U.S. as of 2006.
L'ENFANT PRODIGUE – SYNOPSIS
The story is based on the Biblical parable of " The Prodigal Son," omitting the incident of the brother's complaint, and ending with the father's forgiveness of his repentant son.
The setting is a peaceful village scene near the Lake of Genesareth: From the distance comes the sound of the happy voices of merrymakers, who are singing joyful songs in celebration of a summer revel; and, contrasted with them is the drooping figure of Lia, who has left the gay scene to seek a quiet spot where she may weep undisturbed.
She still mourns the loss of her best-beloved child, Azaël, the Prodigal Son, who left his home long since to indulge in wild excesses and extravagant pleasures, and is now an outcast wanderer. She constantly prays for his return, and has already forgiven him for his wrongdoing. As she weeps alone, her husband, Simeon, appears, and tenderly bids her forget her grief; and when the happy youths and maidens enter with their garlands of flowers and offerings of fruit she follows in their train with her lord.
As the last of the revellers depart, Azaël himself emerges from the trees and bushes where he has been hiding, and gazes upon the scene of his happy childhood with a breaking heart. He is clad in rags, an outcast indeed, worn out and utterly exhausted with suffering and weary wanderings; and, after giving vent to a passionate outburst, in which he blames himself for his folly and sin, and longs for the love of his parents and the peace of his home once more, he falls to the ground unconscious, unable to bear such sad thoughts.
Presently, Lia returns, having escaped again from the jarring mirth of the merrymakers; and, seeing the prostrate figure, she approaches, full of compassion for one who is an outcast as is her own erring child but, when she see that the new-coiner is her beloved Azael, she is full of joy at his return. Her joy is changed to despair, however, when, on beholding his pallor, she believes him to be dead; but Azaël presently recovers, and is filled with happiness at the loving greeting of his mother.
The merrymakers now enter with Simeon, and Lia brings forward the outcast, and bids all greet him as her long-lost son. Simeon, however, hesitates, as his repentant child kneels at his feet and asks forgiveness; but he is not long able to resist the promptings of his paternal heart nor the appeals of the eager Lia, and he presently folds the prodigal in his arms with great joy. He then bids his followers give welcome to the wanderer and kill the fatted calf and make merry in his honour; and the scene ends with renewed revels and a song of thanksgiving for the return of the repentant sinner.
