The 2015-2016 St. James Episcopal Church Concert Series continues with a concert staged performance of Gian Carlo Menotti’s beloved one act opera, Amahl and The Night Visitors, on Friday, January 8th at 7:00pm in the St. James Church. With a touch of lighthearted comedy interspersed, the story unfolds of a young and disabled shepherd boy, who only walks with the aid of a crutch, and who lives with his mother near Bethlehem in the 1st century BCE. Amahl and his Mother live a very meager existence. One evening, Amahl spies a very bright star in the heavens and tells his mother. Later that evening, after they have gone to bed, they hear a knock at the door. Amahl opens the door to see three Kings. After the initial shock of such unexpected visitors, the Kings and their Page are invited in for the evening. An Epiphany miracle occurs and the story ends with Amahl leaving with the Kings to continue on their journey following the bright star in the heavens.

Michael Sterne, Music Director of St. James, will conduct a quintet of instrumentalists from the piano. Soloists include St. James’ own Master Garroway Nance as Amahl and Greenville, South Carolina soprano Kathryn Knauer as the Mother. The Kings will be sung by Seth Taylor of Shreveport as Kaspar, Christopher Trepinski of New York City as Melchior, Seph Stanek of New York City as Balthazar and John Petit Pou of Austin, Texas as the Page. Stage direction will be done by Alexandria’s, Robert Harper.

The Concert Series is funded by a grant from The McCormick-Smith Fund, Inc. and admission is free and open to the public. Mark your calendars now to attend this charming and uplifting performance and round out the twelve days of Christmas.  For more information, please call St. James Episcopal Church at (318) 445-9845.