The holidays are filled with tradition… those things we grew up and those we’ve discovered along the way. For many Christmas wasn’t Christmas without Giancarlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night
Visitors.” Can you imagine an opera commissioned and produced by one of the three networks? Well, NBC did just that in 1951 and it was presented each year until 1966. Conductor Cal Kellogg presented
a ‘stand up’ Amahl last year with the Symphony of the Southwest. THIS year he reprised the performance recently at Mesa Arts Center. There is one more chance to see this production this Sunday at the Valley Vista Performing Arts Center in Surprise with the West Valley Symphony and the choir Cantilena. Sterling Beeaff sat down with maestro Cal Kellogg and found out how closely his life is tied to this holiday classic…