Amahl and the Night Visitors 1978 Restored

This version was produced mostly in a set in London with some scenes in Israel. It has an all star cast of Teresa Stratas, Robert Sapolsky, Giorgio Tozzi, Willard White, Nico Castel, Michael Lewis and was conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos. The VHS tape was off color and too dark which had to be corrected. Some smearing could not be easily fixed. The audio was recorded in mono. The production was under the supervision of the compose Gian Carlo Menotti, the composer and librettist. A copy of the introduction to the original 1951 broadcast by Menotti is included at the end.

The king’s costuming resembles the Bosh Adoration of the Magi which inspired this production. Stratas was known as a superb singing actress and she is true to form here. Nico Castel was wonderful in comic role as King Kaspar. Since it was not a live production the orchestra and singing were recorded separately from the video.

This production was made on film. The US VHS tape is an old conversion from film which has lots of problems including severe ghosting. While this doesn't cause problems in most of the video because of the static nature of many scenes, it does smear fast action such as the dancing. With modern digital technology it may be possible to get a much clearer version if the original film still exists. Normally films are telecined with 3 perfect progressive frames and 2 interlaced frames to convert from 24fps to 30fps by adding an one extra frame to every 4. The VHS copy has interlacing all the time with ghosting of the previous frame on 3/5 of the interlaced half frames. This copy still has ghosting with imperfect detelecining.

[deirdremoore]

This beautiful opera has been one of the warmest spots in all my Christmases since I was a child. My mother and I were singers; I have a strong memory of the two of us at the kitchen sink, washing dishes after the Christmas feast, and singing the different roles as best we could from memory. Mom's been gone these 12 years now, and I am nearing 70. But this opera instantly brings me back to my youth, singing with my mother. Of course I weep all the way through from the opening strains to the closing. Mother dear, I miss you very much. I wish everyone peace in your hearts, tonight and always.

[phyllispetras]

PLEASE Youtube, do not put ads on this precious video. Put ads on the world news or on anything else but here.

[mikeg]

There is something so human about this opera that is hard to put into words. It is about ordinary people that get caught up in a miracle. The cast and production are beautiful.

[samnicoletti]

My old drama teacher from high school made us watch this around Christmas my senior year and I’ve never forgotten it.

[linhiril]

I had never heard of this opera although i grew up listening to the Saturday afternoon operas from the Met. Then in college the music department asked our dance teacher if we would do the dance of the shepherds for their production. It was so beautiful. I was enchanted, captured, at the first rehearsal. We did our dance and all the other dancers left. i stayed for the whole thing and for all the remaining rehearsals, having a a very hard time not embarrassing myself in the completely lighted auditorium. I sang with the chorus without ever seeing the music or words. I couldn’t not. I was raised in a musical home so i kind of made up harmonies. It is, without exception, my favorite opera. I love now singing all the parts every Christmas Eve.

[stevencreelman]

When I was in 7th Grade I played Amahl and sang soprano in a local production. That was over 40 years ago and I still remember all the words !!!! I Loved it all so very much. Thank u for restoring this wonderful version

[pattybush]

Love, love, love this version! We watch this every Christmas Eve with our daughters. Now, with their own families they continue the tradition!

[kauailovetkna]

I have loved this opera since childhood.Amahl and the Night Visitors is a must during Christmas but I watch on January 6th, Ephiphany, and celebrate the arrival of the Three Kings.👑

[losangelesrams]

This is one of the most beautiful Christmas stories ever.

[lrodrigu]

I cannot believe there are so many people that remember this opera as I do. The original was played for the first time on Christmas Eve 1951. I was only a month old! But I didn't get to see it until many years later during another Christmas season. I had always loved the Three Wise Men, and this was an absolute blessing. It is not Christmas for me until I see this video. Thank you for posting.

[bodisci]

Listening/watching Amahal and the Night Visitors has been a Christmas tradition I've had for over 30 years. It reminds me of when my Mom and I were living alone. She was working 2 jobs when she was in her 50's running herself to exhaustion. I dropped out of high school to help out. Had some hard times we made it though.

[sarahtheharpist]

Thank you so much for posting this! I grew up listening to this opera, I even got to see it live once when City Opera performed it and Menotti came in stage at the end, although he only spoke briefly as he was very old. I've been going to share it with my children and this is just the production I was looking for!

[jonathanclemens]

Can't see too much of the best Christmas tv special ever! I first heard the original cast recording of this piece, but this was the first video version I saw. A beautiful classic.

[vitellia]

It is January 5th, 2025, today, Epiphany. I just had a good cry watching this PRICELESS opera on film. Thanks be to God.

[janetroy]

I started watching and can't stop. I must have seen it in 1951 and for some Christmases thereafter, until I left home in 1957 as we didn't have it in any other form, but I know every note, every word.

[antont.wesley]

I have seen this and been moved predictably (and warmly) by it many times. I always feel so sorry for the mother at the end. She is left alone with nothing. It will be months before they return. What is to become of her? I know- overthinking a simple children's story. A timelessly beautiful classic!

[MsDebora]

Thank you so much for posting this wonderful production and working hard to restore it. The introduction (at the end) by Menotti himself is priceless.

[nancyfuemmeler]

Thank you so much for your restoration efforts! My VHS tape is shot. Now I will be able to share this with my students again.

[theresayovicich]

I love this so much. It can make me cry.

[katebeckwith]

I was born in 1952 and watching this became an annual tradition as I grew up, likely my first opera experience. It was shown in black & white every year back then and, as lovely as it is, I find the color slightly distracting now.