Opera in Worcester. An unlikely place? Maybe. But with a two-fold mission of bringing both opera performance and education to all ages at the forefront of what they do, Worcester Opera Works (WOW) launches 2009 with a fitting production of Amahl and the Night Visitors January 9-11 at Gordon Hall, Worcester.
Commissioned by NBC in 1951, Amahl lives in history as the first opera written solely for a television performance. American composer Gian Carolo Menotti’s one-act opera seems like a perfect choice for Worcester Opera Works, as this fully staged and accessible-to-all production features local professional singers young and old from throughout the area, and follows the familiar seasonal tale of the three kings following yonder star. The kings’ overnight visit to Amahl and his mother’s home inspires a tale of repentance and generosity that speaks to all ages.
Stage
Director Rebecca Grimes, who
co-directs with Ian Watson,
explains that one of the
show’s biggest challenges is
the wide range of acting
demanded from the young
lead. “Menotti was very
specific in his production
notes in that the role of
Amahl should always be
played by a boy, and when
casting, directors should
choose a child who is a
little rambunctious,”
explains Grimes. “Menotti
wanted Amahl’s personality
to outshine his singing.”
To help give the character its full due, — Ryan Matthew Beals, 11, and Varun Shavakarum, 12.
Rehearsing since last spring, both boys bring a level of youthful enthusiasm to the production. “It has been a lot of fun,” says Beals, who is new to WOW but has been performing since the tender age of seven. “Varun and I have become friends. I really enjoy working with him.” Each boy has been cast with a different actress performing in the role of mother, which has given them the opportunity to watch and learn from each other. “This has been an awesome opportunity. Playing the lead role and working with such a talented cast and production team has been great,” Beals says.
For Westboro’s Shavakarum, his background in Indian classical music began at age seven. This is also his first WOW production. “This whole thing is a new experience for me and I am pretty much excited by the entire production,” says Shavakarum. “I really enjoy meeting and rehearsing with all the professional singers. It also amazes me as to how much work goes into these productions.”
With double casting, Grimes feels the production is infused with nuances that otherwise may be overlooked.
“I try very hard as a director to respect each singer’s interpretation of their individual role. I don’t think there is one ideal portrayal of any role, and quite frankly there is always a hint of the singer’s soul in whatever role they happen to be playing, so to force them into a cookie cutter character is a little oppressive,” Grimes says. “One of my strengths is that I will begin with an overall vision of what the show should convey, but I try to let the actors go and rein them in only when they are getting too far outside the parameters of the original vision. To me that is exciting, to watch someone have the freedom to perform at their best.”
Worcester Opera Works presents Amahl and the Night Visitors. January 9 (8 p.m.), 10 (4 and 8 p.m.) and 11 (2 p.m.) at Gordon Hall, First Baptist Church, 111 Park Ave., Worcester. $15, $12 grades 12 and under. Tickets online at worcesteroperaworks.com, email tickets@worcesteroperaworks.com.