Paul Hyde | The Greenville News

November 30, 2013

GLOW Lyric Theatre hopes to start a new Christmas tradition with annual performances of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at Fountain Inn’s Younts Center.“It’s such a charming show,” said GLOW general director Christian Elser. “It’s in English and really family friendly.” “Amahl” is about a disabled boy who encounters three kings who are journeying to present gifts to the baby Jesus. GLOW, the Upstate’s opera company, will offer three performances of “Amahl,” Dec. 16-18 at the Younts Center. The 45-minute work was commissioned by NBC TV in 1951 and has remained one of the most-often-performed operas in English. “Menotti made it really accessible, a beautiful, heartwarming story children would really enjoy,” Elser said. “Even if you’re not an opera aficionado, you can go to ‘Amahl’ and be charmed.” The production features Julien Pitrois, a boy soprano, as Amahl. Elser, a baritone, will take on the role of King Melchior. The performances will feature a small orchestra and choir. Porter Stokes, chair of the music department of Presbyterian College, will conduct the opera. GLOW artistic director Jenna Tamisiea will be the stage director. The production also will include dancers from Carolina Ballet Theatre, with choreography by CBT’s artistic director, Hernan Justo. GLOW’s performances will, in part, benefit Generations Group Home, a Fountain Inn organization dedicated to stopping and preventing child sexual abuse. GLOW is planning future operas both at the Younts Center and the Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre.