Grand Finale 1977 World Premiere.
Photography by Rick Powers

A Christmas Opera in One Act to be Performed by Young People

Performance Reviews

“...The ingredients - singing animals, kiddie roles, a starry-eyed view of the Nativity - are fraught with pitfalls, but DiGiacomo is a straightforward composer who can write entertainingly and comprehensibly without condescending...(an) agreeable, professionally gotten-up score...The choral interludes are high points and the esprit de corps of the Charles W. Baker High School performers can only be called heartwarming...”
John W. Freeman, OPERA NEWS review of the original recording of A Journey to Bethlehem

“...This charming recording is that of a high school performance...Although this is an amateur performance, its quality is indeed a significant and notable achievement for these young people. This is a serious, fully-sung opera that is by no means technically undemanding, and the lyric poignancy of the score is communicated well in a very enjoyable reading...DiGiacomo’s score is a pleasant and melodic work, conservative in its Puccini-like manner, with its easy appeal. It is well suited for the school performance situation for which it was commissioned...”
Peter C. Pfunke, AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE review of the original recording of A Journey to Bethlehem

“...DiGiacomo’s opera proved to be a most touching experience...especially during the ethereal finale when the angelic hosts appear and DiGiacomo’s music rises to heights of Brucknerian grandeur”
William Davenport West, TABLE HOPPING review of A Journey to Bethlehem, 2008 revival production

Dedication
For my son, Joshua.
Frank DiGiacomo

Production History

Between July 18 and 27, 1977, Frank DiGiacomo, in a blaze of inspiration, wrote this entire Christmas opera, A Journey to Bethlehem. It was a remarkable artistic achievement, words and music being brought to life in only ten days.
Frank created his libretto, with associate librettist Julian R. Pace, from medieval folk tales, legends, and his own evergreen love of Christmas. Dedicating the work to his son Joshua, Frank gave the world a very personal setting of the Christmas story, teaching important lessons about our lives that he wished to emphasize.
As recalled by Mr. Pace, “I remember the incredible rush of his inspiration — why, the entire opera poured out of his soul and onto the page in just 10 incandescent days! Others of his works are more imposing, more intricately crafted, more profound in both psychological and philosophical terms — but to this day, I believe this shining little gem to be the true DiGiacomo masterwork, the most deeply personal and intimately characteristic statement of his creative life.”
The opera resulted from a commission by Joan Webb Basile. Joan had been involved in the revival of the composer’s opera Beauty and the Beast in 1976, and wanted a Christmas piece for her students. As the Director of an excellent high school music program in Baldwinsville, New York, she had the forces to premiere a new composition. This fortuitous collaboration gave us this heart warming work.
The Composer worked very closely with the principals and chorus, all through the rehearsal period, spending many days at the school. The entire production was brought into being by involved students, faculty, parents, and even participants from other local school systems. Art students created illustrations for the libretto booklet which graphic arts students then printed. Students built scenery, made costumes, sold tickets and performed many other tasks to bring the new opera into existence. It was truly a very special learning experience, capped with remarkable performances, excerpts of which may be heard in these pages.
The first cast included Michael McKenna as Joshua the Shepherd Boy, Tracy Winter played Timothy Nightingale, Joshua’s companion, Lord General Rooster was Greg Pearce, William the Goat was sung by David Bolson, Karen Miceli played Celeste the Cow, Ambrosius the Lamb was Suzanne Winter, Beth Christensen sang Sir Beetle, later to become Firefly, Samson the Lion was played by Bill Goodman, Tom Merchant was Balthazar the Donkey and The Angel Michael was sung by Chris Cimitile. The performances were conducted by Joan Webb Basile, choreography by Donna Mosher.
A Journey to Bethlehem was the second of the composer’s operas to be completely scored and fully staged. Although it was an unknown opera performed by high school students, the public reception was very enthusiastic and gratifying.
The opera was again presented in December 2008 by the musical community of Baldwinsville, New York under the direction of Julie Caruso, which involved many individuals who had been part of the original 1977 production.

Title and Copyright Information

A Journey to Bethlehem: A Christmas Opera in One Act to be Performed by Young People
Libretto by Frank DiGiacomo and Julian R. Pace
from an original story inspired by medieval Christmas folk tales
Premiere Commissioned and Performed by the Charles W. Baker High School Concert Chorus and Orchestra,
Baldwinsville, New York, under the direction of Joan Webb Basile, December 1977

© Copyright 1977 Frank DiGiacomo
© Copyright 2010 Frank DiGiacomo
© Copyright 2014 Sing DiGiacomo

All Rights Reserved under applicable law worldwide.
All rights of public, theatrical, radio, television, and film performance, mechanical reproduction in any form whatsoever, translation of the libretto, of the complete opera or parts thereof are strictly reserved.

License to perform this work in whole or in part must be secured from Sing DiGiacomo.
Terms will be quoted upon request. Contact singdigiacomo@gmail.com with your request.

Grateful Appreciation is due for the Music Notation Calligraphy by Eileen M. Snyder

Technical Information

Cast in Order of Appearance

Joshua, a shepherd    Boy Soprano
Timothy Nightingale    Soprano (Dancer)
Lord General Rooster    Tenor
William the Goat    Baritone
Celeste the Cow    Contralto
Ambrosius the Lamb    Soprano
Sir Beetle (Firefly)    Soprano (Dancer)
Samson the Lion    Bass*
Balthazar the Donkey    Baritone
the Angel Michael    Tenor or Soprano
    
Chorus    SATB

Dancers, Angels, Constellations, etc.

*Depending on the weight of the production, the role of Samson the Lion may be sung by an adult.

Orchestration

Flutes 1 and 2
B Flat Clarinets 1 and 2
Oboe
Bassoon
French Horn
Trumpet
Trombone
Harp
Violins 1 and 2
Cello
String Bass

Percussion Battery: Bass Drum, Chimes, Cymbals, Finger Cymbals, Glockenspiels 1 and 2, Gong, Hand Drum, Snare Drum, Tambourine, Triangle, Woodblock.

Voice Ranges