No. 3 & 4 Oh, the chops & Side by Side
From the mini-opera THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, performed by Christina Linton & Gabriel Manro. For Lyric Soprano, Baritone and Piano. Duration: ~12 minutes. If you would like to perform the opera, please contact Jonathan Price.
Jonathan Price is an American composer for new opera, musical theatre, film and concert works.
Lyrics
Scene Two
The small apartment of JIM and DELLA. DELLA backs onstage, looking aghast at the kitchen offstage. Her hair has been cut short.
DELLA
Oh...
The chops...
(DELLA is fretting because the chops SHE has saved to cook for dinner have gone bad and SHE cannot afford to buy more. SHE has a wrapped present for JIM. JIM enters, carrying a bag, his suitcase, and a wrapped present for DELLA. HE stares at DELLA in shock.)
DELLA
Jim, dear… Don’t look at me that way.
JIM
But Della…
DELLA
I did it for you…
JIM
For me?
DELLA
I didn’t have money for your gift.
I had my hair cut off and sold it.
I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present.
JIM
Della…
DELLA
Oh no...
Just say Merry Christmas...be happy.
JIM
I am, but…
DELLA
Are you angry?
JIM
Not at all, my love.
DELLA
I can tell. There's something.
JIM
No, please… I’m not angry.
I’m just surprised…
Listen...
Look at me, nothing's wrong.
You are here, by my side.
I'm with one
I adore.
Who could ask any more?
DELLA
I see more in your face.
I can't say, but it's there.
All these locks
Pushed aside,
Jim, it's me still inside.
JIM
Now, listen, Dell...
And listen well...
I love you.
You know this.
You have no cause to doubt me.
There's nothing...
more precious...
than you to me!
DELLA
When you stopped inside the door...
Your look I'd never seen before...
Not anger...
Not horror...
Just stared at me...
I wasn't prepared for that.
It was nothing I could read.
It terrified me.
I felt I had to tell you...
JIM & DELLA
I remain always yours.
You remain always mine.
When we're lost,
When we're tried,
We remain side by side.
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