The Gift of the Magi (Rautavaara opera)

Tietäjien lahja (The Gift of the Magi) is a 1994 Christmas chamber opera by Einojuhani Rautavaara.[1] The libretto is based on 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: The Gift of the Magi (sung in Finnish) Pia Freund, Jaakko Kortekangas Veräjäpelto Choir, Tapiola Sinfonietta, Petri Sakari 2CD Ondine

References

1. New Music of the Nordic Countries - Page 201 John David White, Jean Christensen - 2002 - (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."..."
2. Pekka Hako Finnish opera 2002 - Page 106 "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, Tietajien lahja continues in the melodic vein of his 1990s