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Amahl and the Night Visitors is an opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. The libretto is by the composer. It was first performed on 24 December 1951 in New York City, at the NBC studios, where it was broadcast on television.
Amahl is a young boy with a crippled leg who meets the Three Wise Men when they stop at his house. His mother attempts a theft of the gold that was meant for the Christ child, but is thwarted. Nevertheless, she is told to keep the gold, but after hearing of the Wise Men's mission, offers it back in shame. Amahl and his mother have nothing to give the child except his crutch, which he offers. As he does, his leg is healed, and they all go off to see the child together.
The opera is now a popular Christmas classic, broadcast, as it was on its premiere, on Christmas Eve. Amahl is full of humour, and the music is simple, tuneful and charming. These qualities make it a favorite to introduce opera, as a genre, to children.
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