'Amahl' Visits Lexington for the Holidays
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 9, 2015) — University of Kentucky Opera Theatre in collaboration with the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra present the holiday classic and family favorite, "Amahl and the Night Visitors." This one-act, English opera will enjoy three performances Dec. 11-12, at the historic Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center.
Written by Gian Carlo Menotti, "Amahl" tells the story of a disabled shepherd boy, who unexpectedly encounters three kings, traveling to Bethlehem to meet the newborn king. When Amahl offers his crutch to the kings as a gift for the child, a miracle happens and a new journey begins.
Gian Carlo Menotti’s inspiration for the piece was Hireonymus Bosch’s painting "The Adoration of the Magi." The opera premiered on NBC television on Christmas Eve 1951 and was the first American opera.
UK Opera Theatre's three performances of "Amahl and the Night Visitors" will begin 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec.12, at the Lyric. Tickets are $22.50 for general admission and $12.50 for students. Handling fees apply. To purchase tickets contact the Lyric Theatre box office at 859-280-2218 or visit online at http://lexingtonlyric.tix.com.
UK Opera Theatre is part of the UK School of Music at the UK College of Fine Arts. The school has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, and theory and music history.
MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu