Park City Opera will offer a yuletide present to the community when it performs David Conte’s “Gift of the Magi” next week. The production opens Dec. 17 in Salt Lake City at the Clubhouse SLC, 850 E. South Temple, and then returns to the Wasatch Back on Dec. 19 and 20 at Park City Communit y Church, 4501 N. S.R. 224. “Gift of the Magi,” which is based on the classic, heartwarming short story by O. Henry and features libretto by Nicholas Giardini, is the company’s second full-length production after its take on Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” in August. “We didn’t want to stop any momentum we had garnered throughout the process of presenting ‘The Barber of Seville,’” said Executive Director Lena Goldstein. “We decided during the month of August to keep momentum moving with a December show, particularly one that fits the winter and holiday season.” Conte premiered this show in 1997, which means it’s a contemporary work in the long scheme of the operatic canon and history, according to Lisl Wangermann, Park City Opera’s development director. “It’s all about what’s important during the holiday season,” she said. “It’s not really about the gifts. It’s not really about all the physical stuff. It’s about who you spend it with and who you have in your life.” The opera will be performed in English, Wangermann said. “So, if people feel intimidated by opera, this is a great place to start, and since it’s also based on the O. Henry story, some people already know it,” she said. “David Conte’s music is really stunning and adds another layer to the story that is already heartfelt and perfect for the holiday season.” The opera is also near and dear to Goldstein, Wangermann and Park City Opera’s artistic director, Benjamin Beckman. “Lisl, Ben and I first encountered it when we were all at Yale, and we worked in different capacities on this show,” Goldstein said. “Lisl was the lead. I supported in one of the singing roles, and Ben played the French horn in the orchestra. So, we decided to take a fresh look at a piece that we came to love together and adapt it for the Utah holiday season.” While Wangermann is directing and Beckman is conducting this performance run, Goldstein has worked to create an immersive experience for attendees. “Lena is our experience officer in helping create a fun environment from the beginning of the performance to the end,” Wangermann said. “Since this is a shorter work at 70 minutes with no intermission, we felt it was important to curate some things before and after the show. And those are as important and special as the stuff that happens on the stage.” Goldstein believes the opera experience should begin once patrons step out of their cars. “So, when audience members arrive, whether at the Clubhouse in Salt Lake City or at Park City Community Church, they will walk into an artisan holiday market, featuring local artists who will sell ceramics, glass ornaments, textile works and paintings,” she said. “It has been wonderful to get to know many locally based artists in this endeavor.” Goldstein also forged a partnership between Park City Opera and Union Patisserie for concessions. “We’ll have a hot chocolate bar and holiday-themed cookies — pretty much anything you can dream up for a snack or beverage for the opera,” she said.  The Clubhouse in Salt Lake City was formerly the Ladies Literary Club building, according to Goldstein. “Preservation Utah restored this gorgeous building that was built in the early 1900s, and for the last several years it served as a community space that has a unique membership model,” she said. “They rent out space and host weekly figure drawing and open-mic nights and other disciplinary art events. So, we’re excited for our partnership with the Clubhouse in our first Salt Lake City performance.” Composer Conte plans to attend the Dec. 17 performance in Salt Lake City, Goldstein said. “The audience is invited to remain after the show when he will participate in a Q and A,” she said. Asking the Park City Community Church to serve as a venue was a no-brainer, according to Wangermann. “This was the first venue we had secured, and it is a place where we had rehearsals,” she said. “We thought the space was really beautiful and thought it would suit the opera’s message, and they have been amazing partners in that endeavor.” The church also features the space and technical equipment needed to house the production, according to Wangermann. “We’ll be doing the full orchestra with 14 local players, which is not often done,” she said. “Usually groups that present this opera do a seven-player production or they do it with two pianos. So, we’re really excited to do the full thing and present it as the composer intended.” The cast includes guest artists from around the country and some who are based semi-locally, Goldstein said. (See accompanying story.) “Several of our other singers will be in residence this month, and all are extraordinary artists,” she said. Similar to the Salt Lake City performance, Park City audiences are also invited to stay after curtain for a Q and A with the artists, Wangermann said. “What I enjoy about these Q and A sessions is what the audience asks is not always what I would ask,” she said. “When you are so entrenched in opera, it’s hard to see it through fresh eyes. So, I think a Q and A is a great way for audiences to take something away from the stage, and it’s also something where artists can learn things to apply in the future.” Goldstein said the intimacy of the Park City Opera productions often inspired audiences to ask interesting questions. “One component of Park City Opera that is unique is that you’re much closer physically to the performers when you’re in venues like the Park City Community Church or the Clubhouse,” she said. “So there’s this element of physicality and humanness to the art making, and our audiences see something more closely than they are used to. And I hope the community feels like this is a warm hug.” Park City Opera: David Conte’s ‘Gift of the Magi’ When: 7 p.m. Wednesday Where: Clubhouse SLC, 850 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City Cost: Tickets start at $50 Tickets: tinyurl.com/3m2vfp9n Web: parkcityopera.org Also Park City Opera: David Conte’s ‘Gift of the Magi’ When: 6 p.m. Dec. 19 and Dec. 20 Where: Park City Community Church, 4501 N. S.R. 224. Cost: Tickets start at $25 Tickets: parkcityopera.org/events Web: parkcityopera.org The post Park City Opera offers a ‘Gift of the Magi’ to the community appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less