Tietäjien lahja (The Gift of the Magi) is a short 1994 chamber opera by Finnish classical composer Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928 - 2016), known for his neo-romantic and mystical style. The libretto is based on the famous short story The Gift of the Magi by American author O. Henry, but with the setting changed from turn-of-the-century New York to the composer's own childhood in Helsinki. 

Presented as an acted film drama with realistic locations instead of a stage performance, The Gift of the Magi takes place in a poor district of Helsinki in the 1920s. Snow covers the ground and the poor tenants of Mr Salomon’s building live in fear of eviction. Minna (Pia Freund) and Joel (Jaako Kortekangas), two young newlyweds, are having trouble paying their rent, let alone buying Christmas presents. Yet they both long to give the other something special as an expression of their love. Hannu Heikinheimo’s staging is exquisitely observed, and Rautavaara’s music powerfully compelling.

NR, 1997, 45 min. Closed captions (CC) in English.