The Gift of the Magi

Music by David Conte
Libretto by Nicholas Giardini
Based on the short story by O. Henry

This heartwarming holiday classic brings you close to the action in our first performance at the Opera Center. Jim and Della cannot afford to buy each other presents for Christmas, so they pawn their most prized possessions to purchase gifts for each other. But their surprises go awry in this adaption of O. Henry’s classic story, delivered with beautiful melodies sung in English.

Thursday, December 15 8pm
Friday, December 16 8pm
Sunday, December 18 2pm
Tuesday, December 20 8pm
Thursday, December 22 2pm

Performances at
The Opera Center
708 Magazine Street

Note: The Gift of the Magi is not included in 22/23 Season Subscriptions

Kentucky Opera - The Gift of the Magi. December 15–22, 2022 at the Opera Center in Louisville Kentucky.
Kentucky Opera - The Gift of the Magi. December 15–22, 2022 at the Opera Center in Louisville Kentucky.
Joseph Mechavich, conductor
CONDUCTOR

Joseph Mechavich

Kelly Kitchens
DIRECTOR

Kelly Kitchens

Cast

Catherine Goode
Della

Catherine Goode

Sankara Harouna
Jim

Sankara Harouna

Georgia Jacobson
Maggie

Georgia Jacobson

Jason Zacher
Henry

Jason Zacher

Creative Team

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Lighting Designer

Jesse Alford

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Costume Designer

Zhanna Goldentul

Set & Properties Coordinator

Kate Winegarden

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Wigs & Makeup Designer

Cass Brake

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Production Stage Manager

Peter Nictakis

Synopsis

Based on the classic O. Henry short story, Della and Jim 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.
Synopsis Courtesy of ECS Publishing Company