The Gift of the Magi
by David Conte
CD - Sheet Music

SKU: EC.CD141

Composed by David Conte. CD. Arsis Audio #CD141. Published by Arsis Audio (EC.CD141).

UPC: 600313014123. Text: Nicholas Giardini, O. Henry.

Music by David Conte
Libretto by Nicholas Giardini
The San Francisco Conservatory New Music Ensemble
Nicole Paiement, conductor
Complete libretto - 73'34 total playing time

Della - Aimée Puentes
Jim - Tim Krol
Maggie - Elena Bocharova
Henry - Chad Runyon
Magi - Branden Smith, Aaron DiPiazza, Gary Sorenson

Tracks 1-5: Scene I

Tracks 6-15: Scene II

Tracks 16-21: Scene III

Tracks 22-28: Scene IV

SYNOPSIS

Jim and Delia's cramped cold-water flat. Late afternoon, Christmas Eve.

Scene One: Della arrives home and busily prepares for the evening ahead. She lets down her long hair and luxuriates in a private reverie. Jim enters unheard and listens to her singing. Della abruptly stops when she senses him and scolds him for spying on her. He woos her, but she gently tempers his ardor. As they begin their Christmas preparation, Jim is stuck with an idea and starts off on a last-minute errand. Della reminds him of their promise not to buy one another gifts. Jim balks, but she exacts his promise once again. They part tenderly and he goes off.

Scene Two: Once Jim is gone, Della searches for any money hidden in the flat, but she finds little. She seizes upon an idea and calls Maggie to come and help her. Maggie rushes in and anxiously questions Della about her call. Della calms her and tries to enlist her help in a plan to get Jim a special Christmas gift. When Della admits she wants to sell her hair for money to buy the gift, Maggie is distraught and tries to dissuade her. Della is impassive and finally persuades Maggie to help her. They go off to sell Della's hair.

Night falls and moonlight floods the apartment.

Scene Three: Jim returns and coaxes Henry in as they lug a huge Christmas tree into the flat. Jim proudly shows Henry the gift he has bought for Della. Henry is impressed but worries about the cost. He questions Jim about where he got the money to buy it. Jim evades his questions but finally admits to pawning his father's heirloom pocket-watch. Henry is outraged and they argue. Jim tries to explain and asks for Henry's understanding. Henry eventually relents and wishes Jim well as he goes.

Scene Four: Della returns and is overjoyed to find the Christmas tree. Her gift for Jim slips from her coat pocket, and she admits to breaking their promise. Jim presents his gift to her and they chide one another. Della pleads with Jim to open his gift immediately and he teases her by stalling. When he finally opens it, he is stunned to find a gold chain for his watch. Della is distressed to learn he has sold his watch for her gift and begs him to return it. He persuades her to at least open her gift and she finds ornate combs for her hair. She is heartbroken as she removes her hat to reveal her newly shorn hair. In an embarrassed silence, they start to understand the greater meaning of their gifts. They begin to see each other in a new light and come to renew their vow of commitment and love.