Opera Company Expands Holiday Repertoire by Linking Santa-Themed Work to Traditional Classic

By Rachel Katz

Published November 28, 2024 at 5:52 AM EST

Lang Cao (l) sings a role in Opera Orlando's new opera "4 Lost Santas" as well as Amahl in "Amahl and the Night Visitors", which are being staged together.

A Tempo Saturday (11/30 at 7 pm) continues its survey of seasonal programming with a look at Opera Orlando's new opera, "Four Lost Santas," which it is pairing with a production of "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

This holiday season, Opera Orlando is premiering its new operatic take on Christmas, a one-act, family-friendly comedy called "4 Lost Santas," which it will pair with "Amahl and the Night Visitors." The concept was originally developed by General Director and CEO Gabriel Preisser, and brought to life by composer Spicer Carr and librettist Rose Freeman, who is also directing the production. Host Rachel Katz chats with them and Lang Cao, an 11-year-old boy soprano who portrays Amahl and the young boy in "4 Lost Santas."