NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, and at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.
"Amahl and the Night Visitors," a 45-minute Christmas opera performed in English, has delighted audiences since its television premiere in 1951. The Three Kings, on their search for the Christ Child, stop for the night at the home of a widow and her young, disabled son.
"This touching - and often funny - tale will leave a lasting impression and is a perfect introduction to opera for children of all ages," said Dr. Scott LaGraff, SFA associate professor of voice.
Noble Peck, son of Dr. and Mrs. Adam Peck, will sing the title role of Amahl. SFA Dance Program students Ashley Jensen and Montrell Releford are dancers, and Haley Hoss Jameson, associate professor of dance, will serve as choreographer.
Other cast members for the Thursday night performance include Julie Moore, Tyler senior, as the mother; Zachary Thomas Newman, Baytown graduate student, as Kaspar; Andrew Michael Sanchez, San Antonio senior, as Melchior; and Brenton Mattox, Dayton graduate student, as Balthazar. Friday performance cast members are Kelsey Quinn, San Antonio graduate student, as the mother; René Rodriguez, Houston senior, as Kaspar; Roland Rodriguez, Houston senior, as Melchior; and E.J. Grayson, Houston senior, as Balthazar. Jacob Rivas, The Colony junior, is Page for both performances.
The opera is part of the School of Music's Cole Performing Arts Series.
Tickets for the Thursday night performance are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, students and youth. Tickets for the Friday morning performance are $6 for individuals and $5 each for groups of 20 or more. For tickets or information, visit http://www.finearts.sfasu.edu/ or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
Axe ’Em, Jacks!