Local residents playing leading roles in the upcoming production of "Amahl and The Night Visitors" at the First Congregational Church in Essex on December 12 and 13 are: (back row, l to r) Bill Nelson of Ivoryton, the Page; Henry Clapp of Stonington, King Melchior; Ron Paine of Old Lyme, King Kaspar; and (front row, l to r) Jeff Paine of Old Lyme, Amahl; and Veronica Lee of Old Lyme, the Mother. (Not pictured: Ralph Ficker of Bethel, King Balthazar). Photo courtesy of Scott Weaver
ESSEX — “Amahl and the Night Visitors” by Gian-Carlo Menotti will be performed at The First Congregational Church in Essex, UCC, 6 Methodist Hill, on Saturday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m.
The first opera commissioned especially for television, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” was given its premiere by the NBC Television Opera Theatre in New York City on December 24, 1951. The first professional production was given on April 9, 1952 by the New York City Opera. In 1997, a film version was made in Spoleto, Italy, under the composer’s supervision.
The Church’s fully-staged production features local Connecticut residents in leading roles: Jeff Paine of Old Lyme is cast as Amahl; his mother is played by Veronica Lee of Old Lyme; Ron Paine of Old Lyme is King Kaspar; Henry Clapp of Stonington is King Melchior; and Ralph Ficker of Bethel is King Balthazar. First Congregational Church in Essex member and Ivoryton resident Bill Nelson is the Page. The Chorus is made up of many members of the Church’s congregation and choir.
The Church’s Youth Choir Director, Shari Wilcox of Centerbrook is the Director/Musical Director/Producer. Currently a teacher of voice and piano at the Community Music School and at her private studio, Ms. Wilcox, a mezzo-soprano, has appeared in opera, musical theater and as a guest soloist with regional orchestras. Some of her roles include The Mother in “Amahl and The Night Visitors,” Sharon McLonergan in “Finian’s Rainbow,” Ensign Nellie Forbush in “South Pacific,” Pitty-Sing in “The Mikado,” and Queen of the Fairies in Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Iolanthe,” for which she received a Eugene O’Neill Award. In addition, she has served as mezzo-soprano soloist with several symphony orchestras and performance ensembles.
A graduate of the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree, Ms. Wilcox studied voice with the late Mary Langdon of Mystic and Connie Bloomer, former Choral Director at Ledyard High School.
Ms. Wilcox notes that she has a long-standing connection to the opera, “Amahl and the Night Visitors.” She commented, “ In the 1970s, the Eugene O’Neill Theater produced a beautiful rendition of the opera, in which my father played King Balthazar and my voice instructor, Mary Langdon, played the Mother. As a child, I was mesmerized by this profoundly touching piece. We hope to recreate that emotion in this production in Essex.”
Other area residents involved in the performance are Assistant Director, Scott Weaver of Centerbrook and Choreographer Nicole Phaneuf of Moodus. Sue Sweeney of Deep River is the accompanist.
General admission tickets for the December 12 production of “Amahl and The Night Visitors” at 7:00 p.m. are $5.00. They may be reserved by calling the Church office at (860) 767-8097. On Sunday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m., the opera is preceded by a children’s Christmas Pageant. While there is no admission, a free-will offering is suggested. For more information, call the Church office at (860) 767-8097.
Links:
Essex Congregational Church
