'Amahl' comes to Cd'A

COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Saint George's Chamber Choir and Guest Artists will present "Amahl and the Night Visitors" in two shows on Dec. 8 at the Kroc Center.

Amahl and the Night Visitors is a one-act opera, in English, composed by Gian Carlo Menotti for the debut of NBC's Hallmark Hall of Fame television series.

It was broadcast live in 1951 and was the first opera written for television. It has continued to be performed many times since then and is popular with audiences and musicians for its music as well as its uplifting story.

It is the story of Amahl, a crippled shepherd boy who is visited by the Three Wise Men on their journey to Bethlehem. The villagers all join the festivities as Amahl and his mother welcome the Wise Men into their humble home.

Amahl offers his only possession, his crutch, to the Wise Men as a gift to the Holy Child. He is miraculously healed and goes with the Wise Men to give thanks to the Messiah.

"It's a beautiful story," said Jill Cathey, symphony member.

The cast includes singers, dancers and musicians - and a magic box.

Kids and adults would enjoy the hour-long show, she said.

In addition to the St. George's Choir, the singers include Patti Mortier as the mother, Quincy McFaul as Amahl, and Steve Mortier, Tim Campbell, and John Frankhauser as the Three Kings.

Steve Mortier is also the baritone in the symphony's production of the Messiah at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lake City Community Church.

"We have a lot of great vocalists," said organizer Robert Bittick.

The Coeur d'Alene Chamber Orchestra, directed by David Demand, is comprised of members of the Coeur d'Alene Symphony.

The two performances will be at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

The Kroc Center's cozy setting is perfect for the show, and Cathey urges people to attend the rare showing of Amahl and the Night Visitors.

This will be a first for Coeur d'Alene Symphony.

"This show is not really done all that often, and I don't know why," Cathey said. "It's a great little musical. It's very fun, heart-warming Christmas story."

Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors, $8 youth and students, and they are available from the Symphony Office, 765-3833, www.cdasymphony.org, Great Harvest Bread, Burt's Music or at the door.