Special Lesson
If you are teaching in a public school, you must be aware that this play is based on a biblical theme. The story is about the Magi who are looking for the Christ Child. You must be sensitive to your student population and be sure that your parents understand that you are teaching this material. This story is based around a legend and can be taught with that focus or in any other way you choose, but be aware of the guidelines for religious subjects.

Your first lesson should always be the Mandatory Lesson or a review of that lesson. If you have time for only one other lesson, please make that a review of the synopsis (or plot line) of the play. Amahl and the Night Visitors is singing theatre. For the history of this art form, go to this link. If you have time for more than one lesson, or if your students already understand the rules of live theatre, please feel free to choose one of the additional lessons. They are divided roughly by general subject matter, e. g. language arts, social studies, et cetera.

Language Arts
This story is based on a brief paragraph in the Bible. (See The Biblical Story) Brainstorm other paragraphs that could lead to writing an entire play/opera. Have your students attempt to write a one act play based on one of the paragraphs your class has identified.

Wise Men vs. Magi
Have your students' research the titles given to these men. After they have defined all of the possible titles, have them determine which title they think is most appropriate and provide evidence to support their opinion. (See The Magi in History and Legend)

The Three Gifts
The Three Kings brought three gifts. These were supposed to have special meaning; gold for kingship, frankincense as a symbol of worship (an incense); and myrrh for burial. What other meanings could these gifts have had? What other gifts would have been appropriate for men seeking a king?

Their Names
The Three Kings are given their legendary names in the opera. Have your students research these names and determine, if possible, the ethnicity of them. Have a classroom discussion about why these names have become attached to this story. Have your students discuss their own names and why they were chosen for them. Are their family stories about these names? Ask students to determine what names they would give to the Three Kings if they were naming them today. Be sure they support their opinions with evidence/reasons.

The Composer
Gian Carlo Menotti is considered an American composer although he was born in Italy. Have your students research other important American theatre figures and determine if some of them were born in other countries and "adopted" America as their home. (Hint to teachers, look at the period of World War Two and Hitler's persecutions.) Have your students study both Menotti and another contemporary composer. Have them compare and contrast the lives, both personal and professional of the two. Have them compare and contrast the production of the two. Who was the most prolific? Who was the most widely acclaimed? Were they both "successful" in one venue? In more than one?

The Creation of Amahl
The composer wrote about creating Amahl. (See The Making of Amahl.) What does he say were his reasons for writing this opera? There seem to be other reasons for this opera (lame). Do authors/composers always tell all of the reasons for creating their works? Can your students think why they might not share some of their reasons?

Science
The Star
The Wise Men are depicted following a star. There are several scientific explanations for the appearance of this starl. (See The Star and the Journey) Have your students research this subject and explain the possibilities. If you choose, have them decide which is the most likely possibility and support their opinion with evidence.

Social Studies
The mother in the opera attempts to steal from the Kings. What are her justifications? Is she justified? Are there times when stealing is necessary or appropriate? What circumstances would justify theft? This opera takes place in the Middle East. The punishment for stealing in many societies there is to have the hand cut off. Is that an appropriate punishment? Why or why not? What would be appropriate?

Art
Have your students closely observe the sets for Amahl and discuss their opinions of the scenery as presented. Be sure they provide evidence to support these opinions. As a follow-up activity, have students design one set they would like to see used for this production. Have them tell why they think the set they have designed would improve it.

Have your students closely observe the costumes for Amahl and write papers describing their opinions of the costumes as presented. Be sure they provide evidence to support their opinions. As a follow-up activity, have students design costumes for one scene they would like to see used for this production. Have them tell why they think the costumes they have designed would improve it.

Have your students create a playbill to advertise this play. Decide in advance if they should use the performance you are to attend (or have attended) or if they should create one from a possible date in the distant future, or other options. Another option would be to create a handbill.

The Three Kings are depicted in art in many forms. Have your students study several of the different treatments of this subject. Have them compare and contrast the different scenes. You may choose to have them study the various techniques the artists have used to present this subject. In addition, have them note the subjects that appear in the scenes. Do they include the star, no star, tail on the star? How many people are in the scene and are the students able to identify them? Kings (all three?) Mary and Jesus? Shepherds? Who else? Possibly the benefactor of the artist? Some paintings are very modern. Have your students draw their own versions of the The Three Kings.

Music
Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors is an opera. It is sung in English. What makes this an opera? What effect does the music have on the story? Compare and contrast the behavior of an opera goer to the behavior of a rock concert attendee.

In the opera, King Kaspar has a box. The contents of the box are the subject of a song. Have your students study the song and determine if they would use the same contents for the box. Have them research the background of the reasons that the King gives for each of the stones in the first drawer (carnelian, moonstone, red coral, lapis lazuli, jasper, topaz, ruby). What would they keep in the second drawer? Would they choose licorice for the third drawer? Would the composer have chosen it for its flavor? Have them consider the rhythm and meter and look at that word, i.e. licorice*. Could that be part of the reason?

Career and Technical Education
There are many people other than performers involved in this kind of production. There are two links to help you here. The first link (Creating an Opera) will tell your students about creating the performance itself. There are numbers of people who are involved in this process. The second link (Unsung Heroes) will provide you with the people who are rarely, if ever, seen. Have your students look at this list and determine an area that interests them. Have them research the opportunities in that area and write a report on it.

*In the third drawer I keep ...
  Licorice ... licorice ...
  black, sweet licorice, black, sweet licorice.

Return to Amahl Home Page

Revised December 2007
Please credit Lyric Opera San Diego when using this material.