About the Show

A holiday opera featuring Joyce DiDonato and director Kenny Leon in Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors.

In first‑century desert lands, a young boy named Amahl and his mother watch a giant star appear in the sky. Later that night, three kings arrive on a journey to pay homage to a newborn child. Gian Carlo Menotti’s intimate and poetic holiday opera unfolds as a tale of simple faith and a transformative gift.

This production stars multi‑Grammy and Olivier Award winner Joyce DiDonato, in collaboration with The Metropolitan Opera. It is directed by Tony Award‑winning Kenny Leon, whose work includes acclaimed productions on Broadway and beyond.

Presented by Lincoln Center Theater at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, it marks LCT’s first seasonal family offering. The limited run takes place from December 16, 2025 (previews) through January 4, 2026, with a total of 23 performances.

Critic Reviews (6)

"The sun rises, perhaps a hopeful sign, but the staging does not suggest a happy ending."
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"This charming production makes a solid case for re-establishing Amahl and the Night Visitors as a holiday staple."
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"Lincoln Center Theater’s Amahl and the Night Visitors might not be just the thing for all audiences: it is a bona fide opera with religious subject matter, running under 50 minutes."
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"It is a rather somber tale that packs a quietly radiant conclusion. Ever moving the story forward, Menotti’s often rhythmic sung-through score is simple and direct, flecked with pleasant melodies."
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"This small lively production may not only create some converts to opera but restore the reputation of Menotti’s forgotten work."
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"Directed by Kenny Leon, Lincoln Center has succeeded in creating an intimate experience for audiences of all ages...Overall, this was an unforgettable evening that will hopefully become a tradition for every holiday season in Lincoln Center."
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