Amahl and the Night Visitors 1978 Restored

[@deirdremoore9220]

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.

[@meliward105]

How beautfil! What a sweet memory

[@jonathanclemens4660]

♥️

[@phyllispetras3369]

To you as well

[@shanestuddard2606]

Precious, sweet memory! Amahl is also one of my earliest memories. My mother was a singer, too! We never sang this together, but she did insist that we watch it in our home.

[@maryvasaly7034]

It is the same with me and my mother. I’m 71, and my mom has been gone 5 years. I really miss her too. I wish they would show this on TV again. Everyone would love it, I think.

[@vitellia]

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

[@clementj1]

Yes, it can be a tear jerker, but nice tears. I agree.

[@phyllispetras3369]

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

[@clementj1]

Since there is a copyright claim on this video, the claimant might have put on an ad to monetize it.

[@mikeg2924]

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.

[@samnicoletti1365]

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

[@linhiril664]

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.

[@stevencreelman1986]

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

[@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.👑

[@leegnichols7501]

me too😊

[@lrodrigu1]

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.

[@clementj1]

I was 8 when it was first broadcast. My parents saw it on a friend's 10 inch TV, but didn't take me along. I do remember seeing it later in B&W and probably saw the 1955 broadcast as well as the '63, but not in color. This version is actually a movie from 1987 and the singing might be lip synced. Everyone has their favorite version, and this is mine. The 1955 version is available on a DVD restored from the old kinescope, and it has been upscaled to HD just like this version. The 1963 audio is only available on an LP record. The 1951 version is avalable on KZbin in an unrestored poor quality from the kinescope.

[@lrodrigu1]

@@clementj1 We in fact have a copy of the original on DVD. But can’t get down on our hands and knees anymore to search for it in the entertainment center. I love KZbin for that reason. Merry Christmas!

[@clementj1]

@@lrodrigu1 Any purchased DVDs of this were most certainly done by a third party "pirate" from a VHS copy and not made commercially from the master tape, or the original film. This restoration is from a commercial VHS copy.

[@lrodrigu1]

@@clementj1 that would be Amazon then. 😳

[@losangelesrams3472]

This is one of the most beautiful Christmas stories ever.

[@pattybush909]

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

[@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!

[@clementj1]

I saw all of the other TV productions except for the first one. There have been many productions over the years. It is too bad the kinescope of the first one has not been properly restored as it has Melissa Hayden in the peasant dance. Also the original Amahl was not in the second TV production. The talk by Menotti at the end is from the kinescope of the first production. It is a very nice production and Menotti added a little more music to the original.

[@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.

[@jonathanclemens4660]

♥️

[@mavisemberson8737]

Remarkable. Thanks for this version

[@janetroy5489]

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.

[@clementj1]

It is infectious. There are audio recordings of the 1951 and 1963 TV productions, as well as a DVD of the 1955 version in black and white. There are also some other productions on the web by other opera companies. This is probably the only movie version.

[@jonathanclemens4660]

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.

[@antont.wesley5232]

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!

[@steveandme63]

Their duet saying goodbye is so sweet and tender.. always makes me tear up.

[@robintcm]

I like to think the Kings will educate this bright boy and he will be able to use his gifts to provide a brighter future for his mother and himself

[@wftjet]

The Shepherds will take care of Amahl's mother. They know of the miracle too. They sing for him as he leaves.

[@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.

[@craftrobot]

Wow... best of all the versions.

[@clementj1]

The latest one I uploaded is even better, you be the judge. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZCQl5tuj7StidE

[@phyllispetras3369]

Thank you so very much.

[@nancyfuemmeler1401]

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.

[@theresayovicich7195]

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

[@damon123jones]

Me too ❤️

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

Virtually every scene in this opera is a topnotch conception both musically and in the intended staging, but either the miracle scene works perfectly or the whole production deflates just when it should hit its emotional climax. It is important that Amahl forgets that he can't walk when he suggests offering his crutch as a gift to Baby Jesus, so taken with the idea of bringing the only possession he has in the world to the newborn King (similar to The Little Drummer Boy), and is just as surprised as his mother ("But you can't! You can't!") when he takes that first step and realizes he should have fallen down, but didn't. The timing of the movement, the singing and the facial expressions has to be precise. In some productions, you can see that the actor playing Amahl knows the miracle is coming, and, of course, the actor does know, after dozens of rehearsals. But Amahl can't know, so that we can experience the miracle with him, through him. Beautifully realized here by Stratas and Sapolsky. No matter how often I watch the scene, I gasp at the moment of that first step.

[@clementj1]

I agree. It is just too bad that they haven't brought it out on DVD or better yet Blu-Ray. It is also too bad that they didn't record it in stereo, but the sound is adequate. The transfer to VHS was poor, but it could be corrected somewhat. Since it was filmed, flaws such as an early step could be easily fixed, and Menotti was there to make sure the timing was right. Stratas waw wonderful in her role even if she looked a little too made up. Some prefer the earlier original video productions, but each to their own. I particularly like the king's costumes which closely resemble those in the painting.

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

Kick me! Of course, the crutch is not Amahl's only worldly possession. He has the flute. But the crutch is the possession he could not do without. My mistake. Sorry.

[@clementj1]

@@gnirolnamlerf593 The crutch was the most important possession, but now he doesn't need it. Giving it back is thanks for the miracle. It mirrors the gospel accounts. The flute only comes in at the beginning and the end, but the crutch is a constant presence. An old man appears with a crutch or cane in the painting by Bosh which inspired Menotti. There are other inspirations in the painting such as a man in the distance playing a flute and another warming himself with a meagre fire. I think Menotti may have used the painting as an inspiration in many ways for the story besides his family experiences.

[@mauramanning852]

This is the Amahl I grew up with.

[@JamVinRad]

This is an excellent performance! Thank you for posting it and also for the restoration-which really helps. But what would make it even better would be if you added English subtitles. Generally the diction of the singers is very good, but in the upper range of the soprano it's nearly impossible to make the words clearly heard. Also, English subtitles would be appreciated by many people throughout the world who speak English as a second language (and who would have a harder time catching the words). You wouldn't need to put every word of the text in the titles, but just enough to allow the listener to follow the story easily. It would be a nice Christmas present for opera lovers around the world! The libretto, incidentally, is readily available online.

[@clementj1]

Yes, that is a good idea, but the problem is the time involved, and whether I can locate the pieces needed to do this. The subtitles should be switchable. Using the downloaded KZbin mp4 is a losing proposition because it has been compressed even more from the original upload.

[@JamVinRad]

@@clementj1 OK. I understand (things are not as easy as you think they might be). But maybe sometime in the future if the technology gets easier. If you're interested, here is the link to the libretto online: pescaderoopera.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Amahl-The-Night-Visitors-Libretto.pdf

[@mavisemberson8737]

THIS is flagged ! Do nor download@@JamVinRad

[@michaelheintz8853]

I still have the original LP.

[@jeffwelch5349]

Family Tradition every Christmas Eve

[@clementj1]

Yes it is. We watched it every year until they stopped broadcasting it. The second broadcast is available on DVD in a restored black and white. The first broadcast is available in a poor version. The first broadcast had Melissa Hayden as the female dancer. The first two versions had different Amahls. There is also an unreleased studio version, but this one was supervised by the composer. Unfortunately it is in mono sound, and the tape was not well transferred so it required a lot of restoration. It does have an excellent cast. If the master tapes still exist it would be nice if a better DVD would be released. I did not see the original versions, but my parents saw it on an old 10inch TV at a distance in a huge living room.

[@jonathanclemens4660]

Same here! Love it.

[@UnityFromDiversity]

Thank you for the upload! I've wanted to buy this for some time but they don't make this version.

[@josephcollins6033]

Thank you so very, very much!!!!

[@mckavitt13]

The diction of the singers in this version is impeccable. Ofc some of this is due to its being more recent AND remastered, but still, it seems the singers paid special attention to this aspect. I love the earlier versions I saw as a little child. The Amahl of my childhood, tho’, was a high soprano. Stratas sounds marvellous. The only thing this version lacks, it seems to me, is the urgency of the earlier B&W versions.

[@johncarlosmetidieri7191]

I think the version you are referring to stars a VERY young Kurt Yaghjian (who went on some years later to portray Annas in the 1973 film Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley as Jesus and Carl Anderson as Judas). That version you are talking about is also available on KZbin!

[@scottdowney4865]

My home church, Fairfax United Methodist, Fairfax, Virginia, did this in 2000. I was Balthazar. My one claim to Opera fame 😂

[@damon123jones]

I loved this as a boy, i wonder if amahl is alive still. I feel as if will weep

[@clementj1]

There does not seem to be any info on the web about that child actor/singer, so he may have gone into another career and dropped into obscurity. He could still be around. I didn't do more than search a few pages, so someone else could do a more extensive search.

[@markherron1407]

I have the CD!

[@clementj1]

There is a commercial mono CD of the original 1951 cast. There is DVD/Blu-Ray restoration of the 1955 broadcast. There is a commercial VHS copy of this broadcast. There is also a vinyl RCA stereo relase with Kurt Yaghian-Amahl, Martha King-mother. There are other digital recordings of other productions, but no commercial CD or DVD of this production. Any CDs or DVDs of this production would be from VHS copies of the broadcast recorded off the air or from the commercial VHS tape. The original was made on film, and could be restored to true HD or 4k, but it is unknown if the sound was recorded in stereo.

[@janetroy5489]

Later, I knew Theresa Stratas as Lulu.

[@robertmoroney3461]

I like this a lot.. first rate... But Mr Magoo's Christmas Carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the Little Drummer Boy are still the best holiday viewing. Amal would even agree with me.

[@clementj1]

Everyone has their favorites. I like Scrooge, The Snowman, and The Polar Express 3D. Others that I like are It's a Wondeful life colorized, the original Miracle on 34th Street, and the opera Christmas Eve. Disney's 3D Christmas Carol is interesting but lost the original's feeling in its attempt to have lots of action. For a winter comedy Up in Mabel's Room is top rate but is not necessarily Christmas.

[@c.a.g.3130]

Sapolsky looks too much like Chachi. Chet Allen defined Amahl.

[@wyominghome4857]

Buy your own. It is criminal to break up opera with commercials.

[@clementj1]

This is only available commercially on used VHS tapes. But you can download this video. The VHS tapes were not well made from the film.

[@wyominghome4857]

@@clementj1 Thanks, I ended up buying a CD online.

[@clementj1]

Good Luck. Hope it is good quality. If not let us know.

[@markherron1407]

I saw it on VHS 📼 and on KZbin! Merry Christmas ⛄🎄 Go HUG someone today IF they're been vaccinated or not 🚫 Greet all the Christians with a Holy EMBRACE 1 Thessalonians 5 26 and do it responsibly Blessings and Hugs 💖💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕!

[@phyllispetras3369]

Have you been vaccinated!!!! I have not had a man's hug since October 25 1985!!!!!!!!!! I am now 81 but I still miss hugs and kisses.

[@markherron1407]

@@phyllispetras3369 Yes I have been vaccinated! Do you have any children and grandchildren that you can give them a hug? I assume that you're a widow and you missed his Hugs ! I want you to know that I know a person who can give you a hug, that's King JESUS CHRIST, he'll give you a hug! He promised NEVER to leave you nor forsake you! So you're not alone! What did you think about Amahl and the night 🌉 visitors? Merry Christmas ☃️🎄 and Happy Hanukkah!

[@koifish5587]

HELLO

[@emilyhaysweaver]

8:48

[@emilyhaysweaver]

10:32

[@emilyhaysweaver]

20:56

[@WORKERS.DREADNOUGHT]

This is perhaps one of the worst films ever made. Menotti must have been on Largactyl when he wrote it. I think we should find out where he lives and dox him - apart from his having died in 2007. You know how Puccini once said "Wagner had some brilliant moments & some boring quarters of an hour" ? This is like four of those quarters of a hour stuck together.

[@WORKERS.DREADNOUGHT]

@HardHitter PlayZ There are too many for a 9mm. A GPMG is the answer.

[@WORKERS.DREADNOUGHT]

@HardHitter PlayZ Come companeros! We will rise up and destroy this cultural abomination, this carbuncle upon the face of civilisation! Are you with me ?

[@k.robertrichardson6779]

Still touchy about being cast as the back of the camel instead of Amahl that one Christmas at the local arts center, I see.

[@WORKERS.DREADNOUGHT]

@@k.robertrichardson6779 Philistines! Philistines dear boy - I mean it is tempting as a struggling young Thespian to take the part for ready money, but so easy to become typecast. I've played them all ,Kevvy baby (can I call you that?)- back end of the Bantha in Star Wars, back end of the Lion King - you know the kind of thing. Oh, the front end is fine, all the speaking parts. I have had them all up front you know; Sir Kenneth "Kenny Baby" Branagh, Sir Ben Kingsley, Johnny Geilgud - all on to better things, whilst some of us, cruelly unrecognised, remain as mere toilers in the groves of Thespis - reduced in our declining years dependent on the scraps thrown to us. Humiliating work as Boris Johnson's double, back end of Wellard in East Enders, Jodie Whitaker. Oh - if only my mentor at RADA, Sir Laurence "Larry Baby" Olivier, could see me now! Livid. Livid he would be, I can tell you...oh the stories I could tell, Kevvy Baby, the stories... but my lips are sealed, dear boy... Did I mention I was also available for kiddie's parties, panto & bar mitsvahs?

[@mckavitt13]

One of the worst films or one of the worst operas? Clarify, please.

[@vitellia]

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

[@aaronvice5261]

Family Tradition every Christmas Eve