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It's A Wonderful Life

"It's a Wonderful Life" by Jake Heggie is the opera version of the famous 1946 Frank Capra movie of the same name. Gene Scheer wrote the libretto based on the original text, a short story called "The Greatest Gift" by Philip Van Doren Stern. It's the traditional Christmas tale of George Bailey's midlife crisis and his eventual triumph over it.

The Houston Grand Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University all asked for the opera to be written. On December 2, 2016, it had its world premiere in Houston. During its first run, "It's a Wonderful Life" was led by Patrick Summers and directed by Leonard Foglia.

"It's a Wonderful Life" is one of Heggie's many operas that are played in the United States. It is one of Heggie's most well-known works, along with "Dead Man Walking" and "Moby-Dick."

Since it first came out, "It's a Wonderful Life" has become a holiday tradition at many American opera houses. It retells a well-known story, and its emotional, lush score makes it a perfect choice for the holidays.

The Story

"It's a Wonderful Life" starts on Christmas Eve when the audience meets the "Angel Second Class," who is called Clarence in the movie, and Clara in the opera, which is a female version of Clarence. Clara tries to help George Bailey, a banker in Bedford Falls, New York, who is down on his luck, so that she can get her wings. When George is at his lowest, Clara is sent to Earth to help. As they are there, she and George discuss George's early years and family.

Performance History

Even though this production was probably planned for the ENO years ago, it was the best time for the company. The ENO, like George Bailey, is in a situation that could end its life. This makes people think about what it means to the community. After a funding decision by Arts Council England at the beginning of the month, 300 jobs at the opera company are at risk. This is because the government's annual $12.6 million subsidy has been replaced by an offer of £17 million over three years to "develop a new business model" and possibly move to Manchester.

Sir Bryn Terfel, a famous tenor, set up a petition to save the opera company after people in the opera house, the people who work there, and famous singers from the classical music world all spoke up.