| Product Number | 5248* |
|---|---|
| Composer/Arranger | Conte, David |
| Text Author | Giardini, Nicholas; Henry, O. |
| Voicing & Instruments | Soprano, 2 Baritones, Mezzo-Soprano, Bass-Baritone, Bass, Tenor |
| Instrumentation | Version for 14 instruments: Flute/Piccolo, Oboe, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Harp, Piano, String Quintet Version for 7 instruments: Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Piano, Violin, Cello, Bass |
| Rental Dept | Full score and parts for both versions available for rental. Click here to request a quote or order. |
| Popular Opera Searches | Most Performed, Christmas/Holiday, Duration: 60-90 min, One Act/Chamber Opera |
| Duration | 65' |
| Reviews | With its warm sentimentality and easily absorbed archetypal themes, the O. Henry story line lends itself to operatic treatment... We might have expected a sparse and almost folklike musical treatment, designed to convey the familiar moral themes about love and selflessness during the holidays. Conte instead has lavished music of grand romantic feelings upon the proceedings, providing this simple tale with a lush spectacle of extravagant lyricism... Aided by the clarity of Giardani's articulate libretto, Conte exercised particular skillful[ness] in intergrating specific events, acts, and even the characters' gestures into his orchestration. The work was also framed by striking a cappella ensemble numbers, sung off-stage and evoking the guiding spirit of the three Magi. David Conte and his librettist, Nicholas Giardini, have turned (The Gift of the Magi) into a lovely little chamber opera that should give organizations an alternative to Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors. Conte's music is very tonal and melodic...his word setting is really quite wonderful. |
| Premier | December 1997, San Francisco Conservatory of Music |
| Notable & Recent Performances | Berlin International Opera Boston Metro Opera San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 1997 Muddy River Opera Company, 2002 Asheville Lyric Opera, 2002 The Little Opera Company, 2002 & 2003 Operasouth, 2003 University of Minnesota, 2005 Riverside Lyric Opera, 2008 Trinity Lyric Opera, 2008 Borgamaria Lyric Opera, 2009 SUNY Potsdam - Crane School of Music, 2011 Hidden Valley Opera, 2011 & 2015 Opera Fort Collins, 2012 Marble City Opera, 2013 Great Lakes Light Opera, 2016 University of Delaware, 2017 Viva La Musica, 2018 Solo Opera, 2018 The Messiah Project, 2018 |
| Publisher | E. C. Schirmer Music Company |
| Recording Credits | Aimée Puentes, Soprano, Tim Krol, Baritone, Branden Smith, tenor, Aaron DiPiazza, baritone, Gary Sorenson, bass, SF Conservatory New Music Ensemble, Nicole Paiement, conductor |
7-Instrument Version Full Score:
Libretto:
Written by Nicholas Giardini after the short story by O. Henry
Synopsis:
Opera in One Act with 4 Scenes. Nicholas Giardini's libretto captures the essence of the operatic drama contained in the classic O. Henry short story. Della (Soprano) and Jim (Baritone) are a young, poor couple in love, entirely devoted to each other. The action takes place late in the afternoon on Christmas Eve. After having pledged not to exchange Christmas gifts, both decide to sell their own most precious possession in order to buy what each thinks will make the other most happy. Even though Jim adores her long, flowing tresses, Della sells her hair to wig makers so she can buy Jim a chain for his pocket watch. When Jim buys Della an exquisitely elaborate comb for her hair, the only way he can raise the money is to sell his heirloom watch. In separate scenes, both lovers have confidants who try to dissuade them of their plans, each without success. In the final scene, after the couple has exchanged their gifts, Jim and Della reaffirm their love for one another, which they now realize is the greatest gift of all.
| Roles: | |
| DELLA | Soprano |
| JIM | Baritone |
| MAGGIE | Mezzo-Soprano |
| HENRY | Bass-Baritone |
| 3 MAGI (Offstage Trio) | Bass/Tenor/Baritone |
