Riverside, Calif., November, 2001--A Christmas opera performed by music students of La Sierra University, in Riverside, will be performed at three Southern California locations during the first week of December.

Amahl and the Night Visitors, composed by Gian Carlo Menotti, is a Christmas opera, the most widely seen opera in history, as it was written for television in 1951, and has been performed around the world in the 40 years since.

"We’re doing it in celebration of Menotti’s ninetieth birthday and of course, the Christmas season," says Dr. Craig Johnson, assistant professor of music and director of vocal studies. As the story goes, the three kings, on their way to greet the Christ Child, encounter a crippled boy, who gives them his crutch to take to the Child, and then is miraculously healed.
On December 1, at 7:00 pm, the opera will be performed at the White Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church in Los Angeles. It will be accompanied on the piano, and the performance will be directed by Dr. Johnson.

Andrew Robinson, director of the La Sierra University Sinfonia orchestra, and former assistant director of Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra, will direct the La Sierra University Church candlelight performance on Dec. 7 at 7:30 pm; and the performance at Palm Desert Oasis Seventh-day Adventist Church on Dec. 8 at 5:00 pm. Those performances will be accompanied by the Sinfonia orchestra.

There is no admission charge for any of the opera performances.

White Memorial SDA Church: 401 N. State Street, Los Angeles, CA (323) 264-2170
La Sierra University Church: 4937 Sierra Vista Ave., Riverside, (909) 354-7095
Palm Desert Oasis SDA Church: 74200 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, (760) 568-0809

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by Christy Robinson