Amahl and the Night Visitors & The Gift of the Magi

The Pittsburgh Savoyards continue their 86th season with a double feature of Gian Carlo Menotti’s one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors coupled with the world premiere of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi musical, adapted by Robert Hockenberry. Performances will be held December 1-3, 8-10 and 15-16, 2023 at the Margaret Partee Performing Arts Center in Pittsburgh Savoyards headquarters.

Things are rough for the disabled shepherd boy Amahl and his mother. His father is gone, they have had to sell the sheep, and are on the verge of becoming beggars. One night, when Amahl is playing his flute he notices a bright star with a long tail in the sky. That bright star will bring three Kings and night of stories and trouble. Are miracles in store on this enchanted night? Amahl and the Night Visitors was the first opera ever written for television and is the most produced opera by a modern composer in the world.

The Gift of the Magi is the world premiere of a new musical based on the famous O’ Henry short story as well as his other works. It follows the story of several people who have moved to New York to start a new life. Jim and Della are optimistic as they start their marriage until a bank panic leads to a change in their economic future. Norah is caring for a sick brother that has been placed in her care after the death of their parents, Irving is haunted by his family’s rejection, Katy is constantly badgered to settle down and marry, and Soapy just wants to spend the holidays in the warmth of prison instead of on the streets. As they all struggle to move forward from their pasts, they discover the true meaning of Christmas gifts and giving of themselves.