Tune in to WQED-FM 89.3 on Friday December 22, 2023 at 7pm to hear this program on Performance in Pittsburgh!
(Stream live at wqedfm.org)
“as always, Amahl was the star of the show, this year played by Victory Brinker…who lacks nothing in the way of charm, comedic timing mixed with a dash of pathos, and a sweet voice that carries.”
— onStage Pittsburgh
Friday, December 16, 2022, 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 17, 2022, 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 18, 2022, 3:00 pm
New Hazlett Theater, North Side
Our holiday tradition returns with a program inspired by the magic of the season, featuring the classic story Amahl and the Night Visitors and Margaret Bonds’ uplifting The Ballad of the Brown King, performed by the fabulous Resonance Chamber Orchestra and Festival Chorus!
Program:
Nancy Galbraith/Sara Stock Mayo
Rededication
World premiere, commissioned for the Decameron Opera Coalition’s DOC the Halls
Margaret Bonds/Langston Hughes
The Ballad of the Brown King
Gian Carlo Menotti
Amahl & the Night Visitors
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Victory Brinker
AMAHL (FRIDAY/SATURDAY)
-
Evangeline Sereno
AMAHL (SUNDAY MATINEE 12/18)
-
Anqwenique Kinsel
SOPRANO
-
Barbara LeMay
MOTHER
-
Jesús Vicente Murillo
KING MELCHIOR
-
Jonathan Stuckey
KING BALTHAZAR
-
Robert Frankenberry
KING KASPAR
-
Solomon Onyukwu
BARITONE, PAGE
-
Nancy Galbraith
COMPOSER
-
Sara Stock Mayo
LIBRETTIST
-
Kelly Trumbull
STAGE DIRECTOR
-
Maria Sensi Sellner
CONDUCTOR/PRODUCER
-
Jeffrey Klefstad
CONDUCTOR, AMAHL SUNDAY MATINEE 12/18
More about the show
Amahl and the Night Visitors is a beloved tale of hope and generosity that tells the story of a young boy, Amahl, his Mother, and their life-changing encounter with three mysterious strangers on their way to Bethlehem. The cast from our inaugural production of this holiday favorite returns, with Resonance Works alum Barbara LeMay, “a brilliant musician, a sensitive and compelling actress with a most beautiful voice,” playing the Mother, and Rob Frankenberry, Dan Teadt, and Jonathan Stuckey performing as the Three Kings.
We are thrilled to pair Amahl with The Ballad of the Brown King by celebrated 20th century composer Margaret Bonds. Set to a libretto by the poet Langston Hughes, Ballad uplifts the role of the African king Balthazar in the Christmas story through Bonds’ unique blend of classical, spiritual, calypso, and blues music.
The program also features the live world premiere of Resonance Works' contribution to the Decameron Opera Coalition's Holiday Songbook, a streaming production of new holiday music inspired by the seasonal tradition of caroling, with a piece by composer Nancy Galbraith and librettist Sara Stock Mayo, both longtime Pittsburghers.
Resonance Chamber Orchestra
Festival Chorus
Violin I
Maureen Conlon Gutierrez - concertmaster
Sandro Leal-Santiesteban
Violin II
Juan Jaramillo
Ashley Freeburn
Viola
Jennifer Gerhard Mangone
Jason Hohn
Cello
Ryan Ash
Nadine Sherman
Bass
Jesica Sharp Crewe
Harp
Marissa Knaub Avon
Leah Huber
Hanna Atsedewoin
Sam Landers
Kate Manuel
Wallis Lucas
Laura Young
Kate Sereno
Teresa Steigerwalt
Rich Williams
John Sereno
Cody Burke-Sweet
Jim Heinrich
Jesse Davis
Paris Holmes
Flute / Piccolo
Lindsey Goodman
Oboe
Hilary Philip
Ian Woodworth
Clarinet
Ryan Leonard
Bassoon
Grace Houde
Horn
Mark Addleman
Trumpet
Adam Gillespie
Piano
Nathália Kato
Percussion
Hanna Kim
Production Team
Production Manager & Technical Director - Brennan Sellner
Stage Manager - Tina Shackleford
Assistant Stage Manager - Danielle Bergman
Lighting Designer - Eve Bandi
Costume Designer - Elizabeth Rishel
Assistant Conductor - Jeffrey Klefstad
Rehearsal Accompanist - Nathália Kato
New Hazlett Theater
6 Allegheny Square East
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
For the continued health of our artists, all audience members must wear a mask during these performances.