Amahl and the Night Visitors

An opera in one act, with a twist

Amahl and the Night Visitors is an opera written by Gian Carlo Menotti in 1951. It tells the heartwarming story of a poor, crippled boy named Amahl and his mother who receive a visit from the Three Wise Men on their journey to see the baby Jesus.

But here’s the twist: these Three Wise Men are not your typical, dignified figures you may have seen in other depictions of the Nativity scene. In fact, they are quite the opposite.

The first Wise Man, Melchior, is portrayed as a bumbling fool with a love for wine. The second, Kaspar, is deaf and constantly misunderstands everything that is said to him. And the third, Balthazar, is a hypochondriac who is always convinced he is about to die.

Together, these three unlikely characters stumble upon the humble abode of Amahl and his mother and, despite their quirks, are welcomed with open arms. They are in search of a place to rest their weary feet, but they end up bringing much more to this small household.

Throughout the course of the opera, the Three Wise Men and Amahl’s mother engage in a lively discussion about what each of them is bringing to present to the baby Jesus. Melchior, in his inebriated state, wants to offer the baby a box of something he’s dubbed “myrrh-tinis.” Kaspar, misunderstood as usual, insists on giving the baby “frankfurters” instead of the traditional gift of frankincense. And poor Balthazar, convinced he is at death’s door, is carrying a bottle of something called “last rites.”

The real magic of the opera is not in the absurdity of these Three Wise Men, but in the way they inspire Amahl. He has never seen such generosity before and, despite his own tough circumstances, he offers what little he can to the baby. His gift may not be shiny, expensive or even very useful, but it is given with a true and humble heart.

In the end, Amahl’s gift is the one that touches the hearts of the Three Wise Men the most. They realize that their own offerings may not be what this baby needs most. What he needs is love, kindness, and perhaps a little bit of silliness too.

So, next time you find yourself in need of a good laugh and a heartwarming story, look no further than Amahl and the Night Visitors. It may not be the most traditional retelling of the Christmas story, but it is certainly one of the most unforgettable.