AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS 1955

The 1955 broadcast of Gian Carlo Menotti's opera written expressly for television (although Menotti conceived of it as a stage production: "On television you're lucky if they ever repeat anything. Writing an opera is a big effort and to give it away for one performance is stupid.") Staged by the composer; orchestra conducted by Thomas Schippers. Stars Bill McIver as Amahl, and Rosemary Kuhlmann as Mother. It's accompanied by a clip of the Columbus Boychoir singing a program of popular carols. They may have been added to fill out Amahl's timeslot; you'll note that an announcer wraps up the program while the boys are still performing.