I think the wondrous thing about this opera, besides its obvious beauty, is the dream-like quality it has, appearing as out of complete darkness, a cameo of light and beauty, floating in the darkness, revealing a world of love, compassion, sacrifice and joy in the midst of cruelty and penury....and then after the miracle, "He will bring us new life,....and receive our death."... vanishing back into the darkness.
Beautiful performance, awesome performers. what happened to us?
This is one of the few jewels, a cameo of elevating and poignant beauty. To think that this is not played every year MANY times shows how far we have fallen. I see the endless parade of Hallmark NON-Christmas movies each year; the lowest of sentimental garbage, and I want to vomit. One looks and our culture and our society and wonders what evils brought our present societal and cultural curse. Menotti was a genius. I saw this on television as a small child, first performance! I was entranced!
Why this isn't broadcast annually, in stead of the garbage we get instead. And this first version is just superb. How wonderful it's preserved. Chet Allen is so affecting, as is Kuhlman, and their diction is SO clear and the acting so nuanced. To think that this was all done live... in real time, without editing. And most of all, thanks to Menotti for conceiving the idea.
Can I suggest some tags be added to this treasure to reflect that it's Amahl, Hall of Fame, opera for TV, Rosemary Kuhlmann (or some of the other well known performers like the three *very famous* dancers from City Ballet). This is an absolute treasure; you want people to find it. I don't think the problem is "vistors," as that self-corrects on search, but the tags. Arts and crafts? Seriously? I found it once and have had to rely on the email I sent a friend to find it again. It's really buried.
OMG I can't believe I found this. I'm old enough that I'm ready to pass along my family's traditions to my son. Also, I didn't realize when I was little that the dancers were 3 very famous people from New York City Ballet (later in life, after he became a great choreographer, I actually had an opportunity to interview Glen Tetley) or that another great choreographer did the dance. Love Menotti's comments about the 3 Kings! Thank you, thank you!
This was the initial telecast [December 24, 1951] of what became an annual Christmas tradition on NBC (until 1966). "Amahl and the Night Visitors", by Gian Carlo Menotti, was commissioned by the network at a time when television was capable of presenting holiday specials without overt "commercialism". However, the final moments of the program are missing from this kinescope. But the opera itself is intact. This was television at its finest!
I think the wondrous thing about this opera, besides its obvious beauty, is the dream-like quality it has, appearing as out of complete darkness, a cameo of light and beauty, floating in the darkness, revealing a world of love, compassion, sacrifice and joy in the midst of cruelty and penury....and then after the miracle, "He will bring us new life,....and receive our death."... vanishing back into the darkness.
Beautiful performance, awesome performers. what happened to us?
avarmadillo 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
This is one of the few jewels, a cameo of elevating and poignant beauty. To think that this is not played every year MANY times shows how far we have fallen. I see the endless parade of Hallmark NON-Christmas movies each year; the lowest of sentimental garbage, and I want to vomit. One looks and our culture and our society and wonders what evils brought our present societal and cultural curse. Menotti was a genius. I saw this on television as a small child, first performance! I was entranced!
avarmadillo 2 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
Why this isn't broadcast annually, in stead of the garbage we get instead. And this first version is just superb. How wonderful it's preserved. Chet Allen is so affecting, as is Kuhlman, and their diction is SO clear and the acting so nuanced. To think that this was all done live... in real time, without editing. And most of all, thanks to Menotti for conceiving the idea.
AndrewRudin 2 months ago
Can I suggest some tags be added to this treasure to reflect that it's Amahl, Hall of Fame, opera for TV, Rosemary Kuhlmann (or some of the other well known performers like the three *very famous* dancers from City Ballet). This is an absolute treasure; you want people to find it. I don't think the problem is "vistors," as that self-corrects on search, but the tags. Arts and crafts? Seriously? I found it once and have had to rely on the email I sent a friend to find it again. It's really buried.
minissa2009 2 months ago
OMG I can't believe I found this. I'm old enough that I'm ready to pass along my family's traditions to my son. Also, I didn't realize when I was little that the dancers were 3 very famous people from New York City Ballet (later in life, after he became a great choreographer, I actually had an opportunity to interview Glen Tetley) or that another great choreographer did the dance. Love Menotti's comments about the 3 Kings! Thank you, thank you!
minissa2009 2 months ago
I was searching for this telecast for ages. Your video was diffiuclt to find with a computer search because you spelled "Visitors" as "VISTORS".
fcuckyoutoob 2 months ago
This was the initial telecast [December 24, 1951] of what became an annual Christmas tradition on NBC (until 1966). "Amahl and the Night Visitors", by Gian Carlo Menotti, was commissioned by the network at a time when television was capable of presenting holiday specials without overt "commercialism". However, the final moments of the program are missing from this kinescope. But the opera itself is intact. This was television at its finest!
fromthesidelines 2 years ago
Live action opening credits. VERY COOL!
scorpiooooooh 2 years ago