School of Music Celebrates Christmas with Classical Opera

BY Staff Writer

The orchestra and performers work together in retelling the story of the Magi through music in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

The little boy, Amahl, is enthralled by the kings. Left to right: Benjamin Lawson, junior theology major, as the “Page”; Jonathan Bartholomew, Southern alum, as “King Kaspar”; Ian Hassevort as “Amahl”; Charles Lawson, senior theology major, as “King Melchior”; and Jonathan Rodney, senior music education and international studies double major, as “King Balthazar.”

Jonathan Rodney, as “King Balthazar,” explains his regal blood.

Emily Tan, senior music major, as “Mother” (second from left), invites the shepherds in to meet the three kings.

This December, in celebration of Christ’s birth, Southern Adventist University’s School of Music performed the classic Christmas opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors. Current and former students brought many of the key roles to life, accompanied by three of Southern’s music ensembles: Bel Canto, Die Meistersinger, and the Symphony Orchestra.

Written by Gian Carlo Menotti in 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors retells the story of the Magi from the point of view of Amahl, a young, impoverished boy with a wild imagination who meets three kings on their journey to find the newborn Savior.

Laurie Redmer Minner, associate professor of music and symphony orchestra conductor, saw this opera as the perfect fit for the choirs, the soloists, and the instrumentalists.

“This is another way of sharing art,” she said.

The main roles were cast during the summer, followed by months of practice to perfect the technical intricacies of the piece. Julie Penner, professor of music and director of the production, is grateful for how well each performance was received by students, employees, and community members.

“I am thankful to God for His inspiration and blessing over all of the performances,” Penner said. “Those I spoke with afterward were touched by the story and by the performers’ portrayals of it.”

Southern Adventist University | February 2019