Mid-Columbia Symphony brings ‘something old, new’ in holiday concert

In the one-act opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, a young boy and his mother are surprised by a knock at their door.

It’s not a neighbor or someone else from town. Instead, it’s three splendidly dressed Magi from the east.

Amahl and his mother live near Bethlehem, and the Magi are following a star, in search of a newborn king.

“It’s a really charming, heartwarming tale,” said Nicholas Wallin, music director of Mid-Columbia Symphony, which is presenting the piece as part of its upcoming holiday concert.

The symphony also will perform part of Handel’s Messiah, including the Hallelujah chorus.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in the auditorium at Richland High School, 930 Long Ave.

Amahl and the Night Visitors was commissioned by NBC and first performed live on air on Christmas Eve 1951. It was the first opera ever written specifically for television in the U.S.

Mid-Columbia Mastersingers will join the symphony as special guests. Several soloists also will be featured, including Ben Madsen as Amahl and Cynthia Vaughn as his mom.

Karl Hedlund, Michael Hix, Max Mendez and Justin Raffa also will lend their voices.

Wallin said he chose the opera as the “something new” in the concert’s theme of “Something old, new, borrowed and blue.”

While it dates to the middle of the last century, it’s far newer than Messiah, which was composed in 1741.

Amahl is filled with humor and sweetness, Wallin said. It’s an ode to curiosity, charity, hope and love.

“The real moral of Amahl is to not take things for granted, but to be happy with the things and loved ones you have. To hold (your loved ones) close and enjoy that time,” Wallin said.

It pairs well with the beloved Messiah, a masterwork and a favorite of the Christmas season.

The Mastersingers will join in for Messiah, along with soloists Vaughn, Hedlund and Hix.

The show isn’t to be missed, Wallin said. “People who are looking for good feelings for the holidays — we’re offering up a variety of them (with the program),” he said.

Tickets start at $28 for general admission. Student tickets are $16. Tickets are available at midcolumbiasymphony.org and by calling 509-943-6602.

This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 4:32 PM with the headline "Mid-Columbia Symphony brings ‘something old, new’ in holiday concert."