Vermont’s Barn Opera has announced the Dec. 17 and 18, 2021 performance of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at Salisbury Congregational Church in Salisbury, VT.

In 2019, Barn Opera proclaimed the production an annual tradition only to have it broken a year later because of COVID. However, the 2019 principal cast is back and ready to delight audiences once again with this holiday treat.

“Amahl and the Night Visitors” relates the story of Amahl and his mother, residents of an impoverished village in which the three kings, seeking the Christ-child, stop to rest overnight. The disparity of wealth between the hosts and the kings initially creates conflict, but the one-act opera concludes with a beautiful and altruistic finish.

Starring in the show is student performer, Ambrose Cusick, who will make his Barn Opera debut as the young boy whose mother hosts the three kings. The high school sophomore studies opera under the tutelage of Sarah Cullins.

Joining Cusick will be soprano Helen Lyons as Amahl’s mother, baritone and Barn Opera associate director Nicholas Tocci as King Melchior, baritone and company music director, Cailin Marcel Manson, as King Balthazar, and tenor Joshua Collier as King Kaspar. Collier also serves as Barn Opera’s artistic director. Felix Jarrar, Barn Opera’s assistant music director, will accompany on piano.