Barn Opera of Brandon and the Salisbury Congregational Church are collaborating to offer a holiday present to Addison and Rutland Counties – Gian Carlo Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors." The scale of this beloved opera is ideally suited to the intimacy and beautiful acoustics of the historic Salisbury meetinghouse. Its accessible and heartwarming story, humor, child's perspective, and one-act length make it ideal for introducing young audiences to opera.

Artistic Director Joshua Collier has assembled an adult cast of Vermont-based professionals with national and international careers, including Helen Lyons of VPR Classical (Ferrisburgh) as the mother, and Calin Marcel Manson (Putney), Joshua Collier (Brandon), and Nicholas Tocci (Rutland) as the kings. Amahl will be sung by Jonathan and Joshua Kafumbe of Middlebury. The shepherds' chorus will be comprised of local vocalists. They will offer matinee (5:30) and evening (7:30) performances on both Friday and Saturday, December 13 and 14, at the meetinghouse on Maple Street in Salisbury Village.

The family-friendly character of the production accords with the mission of Barn Opera and of its affiliate, The Compass Music and Arts Foundation, who seek to make musical experiences available to broad audiences of all ages. To this end the sponsors of "Amahl" are offering up to two children/youth (17 and under) admissions free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Adult ticket reservations at $30 may be purchased at Barn Opera's website (barnopera.com), Brown Paper Tickets (brownpapertickets.com/event/4308909) or, as available, for check or cash only at the door. For more information visit the Barn Opera website or call (802) 247-4295.