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Stratton Foster Memorial Stained Glass Concert -
 First Presbyterian Church presents Gian-Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. Raphael Bundage will conduct, with Chris Simonsen as the stage director.
Gian Carlo Menotti wrote "Amahl and the Night Visitors" in 1951 for NBC when he was commissioned to write a Christmas opera for television. The painting of "The Adoration of the Kings" by Hieronymus Bosch was his inspiration that reminded him of his childhood dreams in Italy, of the coming of the Magi.
This is the delightful story of a crippled boy and his mother who live in poverty among shepherds at the time of Jesus' birth. One night, the Three Kings, on their way to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Christ Child, stop for shelter at the rude hut, where Amahl and his mother live. They are given hospitality and are entertained by the neighboring shepherds. The Mother envies the gold and the other splended gifts being brought to this Child the Kings do not even know. In the early dawn, she steals some of the gold and is caught. When she explains to the Kings that she needs it for her starving child, she is forgiven. Then they tell her about the Child, the new light that He will bring into the world and the kingdom He will build. The poor widow repents and returns the gold. Amahl responds by offering his most valued possession, his crutch, as a gift to the Child. In doing so, he is miraculously cured of his lameness, and he is allowed to follow the Kings to Bethlehem to give thanks to the Christ Child.
'Amahl' will be presented in the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary with Parker Ramsay playing Amahl, Joanne Taylor playing the part of the Mother, and the Three Kings played by Bill Kirby, Keith Moore and Ted Wylie. The concert is Free and Open to the Public.
After the presentation, everyone is invited to go outside and participate in the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing at 5:10 p.m.
Ring in the Advent season with "Amahl and the Night Visitors", a delightful story for all ages told through music, dance and drama. You'll be glad you did! For more information about this and other concerts at First Presbyterian Church, contact Daphne Garey (615) 298-9517 or by email music@fpcnashville.org.
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