The House without a Christmas Tree
A Chamber Opera in One Act
Based on 'The House without a Christmas Tree', a book by Gail Rock
Music by Ricky Ian Gordon
Libretto by Royce Vavrek

Prologue
Scene 1
Interlude 1 - Snowballs
Scene 2 - After Dinner
Scene 3 - Caroling
Scene 4 - Best Friends
Scene 5 - School Christmas
Interlude 2 - Journey of the Christmas Tree, Part 1
Piano Interlude 1
Scene 6 - The House with a Christmas Tree
Piano Interlude 2
Scene 7 - Gentle Wisdom
Interlude 3 - Journey of the Christmas Tree, Part 2
Scene 8 - A Gift, Not Charity
Scene 9 - Nativity
Piano Interlude 3
Scene 10 - A Surprise for Addie

Precocious Addie Mills is smart and energetic, just like the mother she never knew. Addie has no idea why her father resents the holidays so intensely, refusing even to allow a Christmas tree in the house. But when she brings home a tree she won in a school contest, it paves the way for a miracle of sorts her father’s broken soul is transformed. The House without a Christmas Tree, a new opera by Ricky Ian Gordon and Royce Vavrek that premiered at Houston Grand Opera in 2017, is based on the book by Gail Rock and the beloved 1972 television movie of the same name.

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This album was recorded at Houston Grand Opera, December 2017.