Culture in Demorest Georgia

One of the benefits about being associated with an institution of higher learning, namely Piedmont College, is the opportunity to enjoy great performances. At Christmas, the music department does a Lessons & Carols that attracts more than 1600 people from the community over two nights. Every semester, the Theater Department produces plays that are absolutely marvelous. Vicki is singing with the Piedmont Chorale that will be performing Mozart's Mass in C Minor later in the Spring.

Last night, Vicki and I attended a production of Amahl and The Night Visitors at the new Swanson Center for Performing Arts and Mass Communication. Amahl was the first opera written for television and premiered on Christmas Eve in 1951. It was written by Gian Carlo Menotti and is still considered one of the most popular American operas.

The story is a classic Christmas story. The Three Kings, on their way to Bethlehem, stop for a brief rest at the home of a poor peasant woman and her crippled son. During the course of the night, the woman is tempted to steal some of the gold they carry in order to help provide food for herself and her son. After hearing about the character of this new born king, the lame boy willingly offers his crutch as a present for the babe. At that moment, the crippled boy is miraculously healed and joins with the kings to go to Bethlehem.

The house was about 95% full, probably 300 in attendance last night. It was a full production with orchestra and all. The production was first rate. But, it was even better because I knew all of the major players in the production. So, in addition to enjoying the singing and the production, I got to enjoy John Paul, Jeremy, and Patrick as the kings, Donna as the peasant woman, and Jennifer as Amahl.

This kind of opportunity is a "perk" that is priceless.