21 Nov Foundation to Host Free Christmas Opera
Image from 2021 Performance at the McPherson Opera House
A Donor Advised Fund from the McPherson County Community Foundation (MCCF) will support a series of performances of the Christmas opera Amahl and The Night Visitors, presented by Music On Site. A free public performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, at the McPherson Opera House. In addition, Music On Site will perform the opera for local schools in McPherson County.
Amahl and The Night Visitors, a one-act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, tells the story of a disabled boy and his mother, who are visited by three strangers—who turn out to be the Three Kings on their way to the birth of Jesus.
Since 2019, Music On Site has brought Amahl and The Night Visitors to McPherson County each holiday season, except for 2020, when the performance was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bradley Baker, executive director of Music On Site, called the experience enriching for both the performers and the students.
“The students were full of smiles. One third-grader even said, ‘Wow, opera is cool!’” Baker said of the 2023 performances.
Becky Goss, president and CEO of MCCF, emphasized the importance of supporting the arts in the community.
“It’s a really cool opportunity to introduce kids and community members to an art form they may not be familiar with,” Goss said. “Supporting the arts is a great priority for us.”
Music On Site, Inc. is a Kansas-based nonprofit that aims to bridge the opportunity gap for rural students interested in opera. Its mission includes:
- Offering free opera performances and educational programs in rural schools with limited access to the arts.
- Producing free community opera performances for families and local residents.
- Creating high-level professional opera productions that enhance the cultural offerings of Kansas.
- Providing mentorship and professional training for aspiring opera singers, directors, and pianists.
- Creating opportunities for opera professionals to engage with the public and further their craft.