Opera South East presented a delightful candlelit concert at Winchelsea church last Saturday, November 23. Singing Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors and other seasonal music, the event is based on Italian folk tales of the Nativity and Epiphany, and is a retelling of the story of the Magi from the point of view of a disabled young shepherd.
The story tells of the arrival of three kings, coming to his simple home to ask for shelter and food on their journey following a star that would lead them to “The Child” which had just been born. The poverty stricken mother and her son have their lives transformed by this visitation.
Daisy Wharton as the boy had, while somewhat shy, a beautiful clear voice, supported by talented Julia Bovee as the mother, the cast and versatile director/pianist/saxophonist Kenneth Roberts.
The second half consisted of a medley of Christmas songs interspersed by a wonderful small quintet, Fipple Consort, playing recorders in harmony. Their next concert, which is free, is on Sunday, December 1, 12:30pm at St Clements Church, Hastings . The next Opera South East event, The Mikado, is not until 2020.
Image Credits: Heidi Foster .