More about the show

Amahl and the Night Visitors is a beloved tale of hope and generosity that tells the story of a young boy, Amahl, his Mother, and their life-changing encounter with three mysterious strangers on their way to Bethlehem. The cast from our inaugural production of this holiday favorite returns, with Resonance Works alum Barbara LeMay, “a brilliant musician, a sensitive and compelling actress with a most beautiful voice,” playing the Mother, and Rob Frankenberry, Dan Teadt, and Jonathan Stuckey performing as the Three Kings.

We are thrilled to pair Amahl with The Ballad of the Brown King by celebrated 20th century composer Margaret Bonds. Set to a libretto by the poet Langston Hughes, Ballad uplifts the role of the African king Balthazar in the Christmas story through Bonds’ unique blend of classical, spiritual, calypso, and blues music.

The program also features the live world premiere of Resonance Works' contribution to the Decameron Opera Coalition's Holiday Songbook, a streaming production of new holiday music inspired by the seasonal tradition of caroling, with a piece by composer Nancy Galbraith and librettist Sara Stock Mayo, both longtime Pittsburghers.