The Gift of the Magi (Rautavaara opera)

The Gift of the Magi (Finnish: Tietäjien lahja) is a 1994 chamber Christmas opera by Einojuhani Rautavaara.[1] The libretto is based on the 1905 short story "The Gift of the Magi" by American author O. Henry which Rautavaara had first encountered in New York in 1955. However the story was changed from 1900 New York to the composer's own childhood in Helsinki's Kallio district in the 1930s.[2]

Recordings

  • Rautavaara: Tietäjien lahja (sung in Finnish) Pia Freund, Jaakko Kortekangas Veräjäpelto Choir, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Petri Sakari, 2CDs Ondine

References

  1. ^ Jean Christensen (2002). John David White (ed.). New Music of the Nordic Countries. Pendragon Press. p. 201. ISBN 9781576470190. Tietäjien lahja (The Gift of the Magi, 1994) is the most traditional of Rautavaara's operas, as far as the dramatic content and handling of events is concerned. Written for the Finnish television, it is a 'beautiful, delicate Christmas story about love and of giving and receiving gifts'. [citing Aho, etc. 1996, p. 125]
  2. ^ Pekka Hako (2002). Finnish Opera. Finnish Music Information Centre. p. 106. ISBN 978-9525076202. The libretto is based on a Christmas story by American author O. Henry. Rautavaara had first come across the story when studying in New York in 1955. He adapted the story to a more personal level and transposed the action from early 20th-century New York to his childhood, the Kallio district of Helsinki in the 1930s. In terms of music, Tietäjien lahja continues in the melodic vein of his 1990s ...
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