Ping & Woof: Amahl & the Night Visitors
Free (donations appreciated)
- Kaitlyn O'Neill, voice (Amahl)
- Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano (The Mother)
- Michael McDonald, voice (Kaspar)
- Kevin Walsh, baritone (Melchior)
- Zachary Lenox, baritone (Balthazar)
- Weston Roth, tenor (The Page)
- Kari Burgess, soprano (Shepherd)
- Lindsey Rae Johnson, mezzo-soprano (Shepherd)
- Scot Crandal, tenor (Shepherd)
- Quinton Gardner, bass (Shepherd)
- Sequoia, piano
We are excited to continue the tradition of presenting Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors on January 7th at 4pm!
Synopsis: Based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, Gian Carlo Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a young disabled boy named Amahl, who lives in poverty with his widowed mother near Bethlehem. He sees a bright star in the sky one night and tells his mother to go look, but she brushes him off, buried in concern over their bleak future and lack of means with which to support themselves. That night, three kings come across their meager hut and seek shelter, for they have traveled long and far following the star of which Amahl had spoken. They bring with them treasure and gifts to give to :the Child" who has just been born and who will reign over all. Blinded by the lure of the gold and what it could do for her family. the Mother attempts to steal just a bit of the treasure, but is caught red-handed. What no one expects is a gift far greater than gold – blessed by the Child, Amahl finds himself suddenly cured of his disability. A vivid and accessible tale originally created for television, Amahl and the Night Visitors is a perfect first opera – or hundredth!
About Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano (The Mother)
About Kevin Walsh, baritone (Melchior)
About Zachary Lenox, baritone (Balthazar)
About Weston Roth, tenor (The Page)
Weston Roth's roles with Opera Theater Oregon include Polydeuces in Giasone and The Argonauts (2014), and chorus in The Cunning Little Vixen (2013). He has also sung with the Intel Singers chorus and the Community Music Center Madrigal Singers. Weston has been studying voice with Nancy Olson Chatalas since 2012, during which time he has performed opera arias and lieder in recital and master classes with her studio. In 2016 Weston took 1st place at the NATS Cascade Chapter Classical festival in the adult recreational division. A talented singer and guitarist, Weston also performs with the Alternative Liturgy program at Trinity Episcopal Church and plays electric guitar for the local Portland band, Mostly Stones.