Gian Carlo Menotti (1911–2007)

I've loved this book for its illustrations and story since it came out (the personalities of the Magi!). However, I somehow missed the fact that it was first written as an opera in the '50s?? Pretty cool. An Epiphany story that I'm inclined to leave out for people to find at any time of the year. Less simplistic than Small Camel Follows the Star.

Since its first performance on Christmas Eve, 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors has taken its place with A Christmas Carol as a holiday classic. Peformed on every continent and in many languages, it has been seen by more people than any other opera in history. The story tells of the night the Three Kings, following the star to Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepard boy who lives with his widowed mother. Inspired by the Wise Men's tale of a kingdom "built show more on love alone," Amahl offers his own simple gift to the Christ Child. And then a miracle happens. . . In this warm and compassionate story, Gian Carlo Menotti has captured the essential spirit of Christmas. show less

Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti. Library section 9 C: Juvenile (gr. K-5), Holidays. Gian Carlo Menotti was born in a hill village in Italy in 1911. He began composing at the age of five and had written his first opera by age 11. As a little boy, he was miraculously cured of lameness by a pilgrimage to the nearby Sanctuary of Sacro Monte. This was the genesis for this opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors, the first opera ever commissioned for television (in 1951). I am show more reviewing the story book of that opera. It tells of the night the Magi stopped for the night at a lowly hovel, the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy who lived with his widowed mother. Inspired by the Wise Men’s tale of a kingdom “built on love alone,” Amahl offers his own simple gift to the Christ Child, and then a miracle happens. No spoiler here; you’ll have to read the book to find out what the miracle was.
In this warm and beautiful story Menotti has captured the essence of Christmas. The New York Times called this opera “rare art....tender and exquisite.” This book contains the entire story, illustrated with earth-toned watercolors by Michele Lemieux. The Magi have the look of turbaned, bearded men in tiny Persian paintings – they look eastern and very exotic, in comparison to Amahl and his mother’s simple peasant clothing.
This lovely book is perfect for reading on your own, but especially for reading aloud to elementary age children. It will enrich their understanding of Christmas and the meaning of the birth of Christ, and its reading aloud could become an annual Christmas event in your home. Enjoy! show less

Menotti's Christmas opus is not exactly a cantata, nor an oratorio, not quite a short opera, although that comes closer. It was created for TV, and was my husband's favorite program.
The book is faithful to the show, and there are videos available of the recorded performance.