Crane Opera Ensemble, Orchestra to present 'Amahl and the Night Visitors' and 'The Gift of the Magi' Nov. 10-12

POTSDAM -- The Crane Opera Ensemble and Orchestra will present two classic family friendly one-act operas, "Amahl and the Night Visitors" and "The Gift of the Magi," at SUNY Potsdam's Crane School of Music from Thursday, Nov. 10 to Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Snell Music Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

"Amahl and the Night Visitors," with music and libretto by Gian Carlo Menotti, has been considered a classic of the holiday season since its premiere on television by the NBC Television Opera Theatre in New York City on Christmas Eve, 1951. It tells the story of a young shepherd boy and his mother, who are visited by the three magi as they follow a magnificent star in search of a special child.

David Conte composed "The Gift of the Magi," which premiered in 1997, as a companion piece for "Amahl and the Night Visitors." The opera's story is based on the 1905 short story of the same title by O. Henry. It is the classic tale of the sacrifices a husband and wife each make in order to buy the other a Christmas present.

Tickets are available by contacting the Community Performance Series Box Office at 267-2277 or visiting www.cpspotsdam.org. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students, SUNY Potsdam staff or senior citizens.