Amahl and the Night Visitors

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A "Christmas opera" by Gian-Carlo Menotti, written on commission for NBC. First performed in 1951.

The story concerns Amahl, a poor crippled boy who lives with his mother, as they are visited by the three kings on the night of Jesus' birth. Amahl has a habit of lying, and his mother initially does not believe him when he talks about the unusual star he sees. When she sees the riches that the kings have and intend to give to the infant Jesus, she attempts to steal the gold. King Melchior, however, forgives her when he sees Amahl defend her.

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Tropes used in Amahl and the Night Visitors include:

• Bratty Half-Pint: Amahl can be implied to be this.
• Cassandra Truth: Mother doesn't believe Amahl when he talks about the star, nor about the kings, until she sees them herself. She has a pretty good justification, though, as she rattles off his track record of lying.
• Christmas Miracle: Amahl can walk again.
• Christmas Special: Well, duh.
• Scary Black Man: The Page. Also sung by a bass, to make him more scary.
• Throwing Off the Disability