 "Photo: Hanne Zak")
 "Photo: Mallory Ferland")
For the first time this Christmas, an opera will help bring the holiday spirit to Gonzaga. "Amahl and the Night Visitors," one of the most famous one-act operas, will be performed in St. Aloysius Church this week in the annual Christmas Candlelight Concert.
"Amahl and the Night Visitors," originally composed and written by Gian Carlo Menotti for NBC Television, is not your average opera, said junior Shelby Edens, who will perform a lead role in the opera.
"A lot of people have negative stigmas surrounding opera - that it's outdated, too long, hard to understand. This opera is none of those things," Edens said. "It's only 45 minutes long, it's in English, and it's based on a story we've all heard before: the three kings following the star to bring gifts to Christ child."
While many students may not list an opera as their first choice of weekend entertainment, Edens explains that the show is truly something everyone can enjoy.
"The characters are very easy to relate to, and while overall it's a sweet story about hope, there are a lot of funny moments. I also think it will be really cool to see a show put on in St. Al's. How often do you see a production in a church?"
While the titular character, Amahl, is played by 12-year-old Alex Goss-Gaul from Post Falls, and the role of King Melchior is played by Rick Flores, a community member of the Gonzaga Chorale, the rest of the cast on stage and off are Gonzaga students and staff.
The opera will feature Edens as Amahl's mother, senior Alex Persing as King Kaspar, freshman Elliot Matheny as King Balthazar and sophomore Brandon Garnreiter as the role of the Page. The Gonzaga University Choir will join the opera as the chorus of shepherds.
In addition to the Gonzaga cast, the opera will feature the sounds of a professional orchestra, conducted by Dr. Robert Spittal. It was sponsored by a grant from the Welty Foundation. Sophomores Robert Carr and Leah Weber will join the orchestra as pianist and percussionist, respectively.
Gonzaga voice instructor Marjory Halvorson looks forward to the opera both as a new experience for the Gonzaga community as well as a way in which students can get experience with operatic performance.
"This opera gives a chance for students to be involved in a real opera, in a positive environment," she said.
Halvorson explained that "Amahl" is indeed unique; it was the first opera intended for television. This weekend, it will function as the second half of the Candlelight Concert.
"Even if you think you're too busy, or you're not sure if you'd really like opera, you should come anyway! I guarantee there will be something there to excite you," Edens said.
The opera, which follows the three wise men on their holy journey, intends to enliven the Christmas spirit on campus and remind what the season means in a traditional sense.
"I think [the Christmas story] what the season is all about, and this opera can remind us to keep that in our thoughts in the madness of the season." Edens continued.
"Amahl and the Night Visitors" is showing at St. Al's at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $5 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at Crosby, TicketsWest or through the Music Department (x6733)
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