The Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center just finished an amazing run of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” a mesmerizing opera created by composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti. The operatic piece, presented in association with the Metropolitan Opera, was truly a breath of fresh air to experience. It told the story of a poor, lame shepherd boy, Amahl, and his mother. Amahl loves to look at the night sky and, one night, sees a special star there. His mother is concerned about their lack of money and food, and their lives seem desperate until they are visited by three kings carrying gifts for a special child and are following a star to find that child. Of course, these are the three wise kings — Kaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
When these kings come to Amahl’s home, he and his mother share their hospitality and have the other shepherds bring whatever food they have to present to the kings. As the kings are sleeping, Amahl’s mother is tempted to steal their possessions to provide food for her and her son.
The mother is caught by the kings’ servant; what happens after that is truly beautiful.
This opera was touching to watch and the cast was absolutely splendid. Their voices soared to great heights and were thrilling to experience. Albert Rhodes Jr. was delightful as Amahl. Joyce DiDonato was moving as his mother. The three kings were poignantly performed by Phillip Boykin as Balthazar, Brian Jeffers as Kaspar, and Todd Thomas as Melchior. Boykin has that deep baritone that just makes you melt inside. Johnathan McCullough gave a noteworthy performance as the Page. A mysterious musician, the Oboe Player, was engagingly performed by Jess Barrett.
The ensemble cast was also incredible and added to the joy of this production. It included dancers Manuel Palazzo, Bryanna Strickland, and Madeline Wright; and Amahl’s neighbors Jesse Barrett, Patrick Bessenbacher, Miastasha Gonzalez-Colon, Kathryn McCreary, Natalie Trumm, Miguel Angel Vasquez, Olivia Vote, and Jason Zacher.
What surprised me about this operatic production was its director — Kenny Leon. Every time he gets involved in a project, he creates something so noteworthy, so mesmerizing, so memorable, but I had never known him to direct an opera. It just demonstrates that there is nothing he cannot do.
The creative team included Ioana Alfonso, choreographer; Steven Osgood, music director; Derek McLane, scenic design; Emilio Sosa, costume design; Adam Honore, lighting design; Marc Salzberg, sound design; and J. Jared Janas, wig and hair design.
For tickets to future Lincoln Center productions, visit lct.org.