The 1951 TV event that made opera a Christmas Eve sleepover.
The historic, original, live airing of what would become an annual Christmas tradition throughout the 1950s, this opera tells the story of Amahl, a crippled shepherd boy, and his destitute mother, who provide temporary shelter to three men who are following a star to the newly-born Christ child.
Production
Historic first opera written for television, not stage.
Acting
Chet Allen's Amahl: genuinely childlike, not precious.
Direction
Live 1951 broadcast—one take, no safety net.
Director
Kirk Browning
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
NBC commissioned Menotti specifically to create the first opera for television, inventing a genre that peaked with this and basically never again.
The 1951 cast performed live with only one dress rehearsal—Rosemary Kuhlmann reportedly sang her big aria directly into a boom mic that almost hit her face.
No ratings yet
Sign in to join the discussion — comments are spoiler-gated to your watch progress.
Discussion starters
US
