The Visit of the Magi

A Christmas Oratorio about the cold war between Parthia and Rome

Ouverture (click for MP3) (Dennis Werner, keyboard)

Scene 1: Cstesephon, winter capital of the Parthian Empire.

Servants gossip about the royal intrigues of King Phratres and his family who for generations have slaughtered each other to gain power. King Phratres interrupts them to summon his wise men on a mission. Although enjoying a truce with Rome, he is uneasy about the Roman army so near to the Parthian capital. So he sends his emissaries off to Judea to stir up trouble for the Romans and keep them occupied far from Cstesephon. The main emissary complains about the mission, but agrees that the Realpolitiks of a cold war are better than armed conflict.

Scene 2: Home of Elizabeth, Nazareth, Judea.

Mary seeks advice from her cousin on how to deal with the fact that she is unwed and pregnant She fears her fiancé, Joseph, may not want her any more. Joseph overhears the conversation and declares his love for Mary, even though the two of them may be disgraced in the community (click for MP3 of this love duet) (sung by Claudia Ondrusek and Rogério Guilherme). Elizabeth counsels the couple to prepare for the worst, but not to dwell on gloom. The child in Mary’s womb will bring joy, and things need not be so bad (click for MP3) (sung by Ana Claudia Ambrossi Lopez). Mary and Joseph realize they could marry in Nazareth and then have the baby elsewhere, so people would not know that it was conceived before marriage.They will not adhere to the moral judgments of the masses, but will let their child be their guiding star.

Scene 3: Herod’s Palace in Jerusalem.

The emissaries from Parthia and her allies discuss their attempts to meddle with Judean politics. They complain about all the different factions in Jerusalem: The Sadducees are charming aristocrats, but cannot be trusted to confront Rome. The intellectual Pharisees are nit-picking bureaucrats who would be totally ineffectual as allies. The Zealots, dangerous demagogues, are quick to action, but might easily turn against Parthia as well as Rome. The hippy-like Essenes are too escapist to fight. After a brainstorming session, the Magi decide to set up a puppet king in Judea. They recall that the descendants of the great King David are all gathered in Bethlehem and decide to find some poor outcast heir whom they could influence with their gifts. Herod overhears this conversation, but the Magi quickly divert his attention by complimenting him on his difficult job of controlling such an unruly folk. Herod then expresses his own complaints about his wards.

Scene4: The magi meet with Mary and Joseph and their newborn son

The first emissary offers gold to the couple and expresses his hope that it might be used to raise their son as a military leader to fight off Rome. Mary vehemently rejects the offer, expressing her hope that her child will be of a gentle nature. The second Magus offers incense and suggests it might be used to ingratiate her son into the ecclesiastical orders, giving him great influence (and affluence). Mary again rejects the offer, saying that she prefers that her son be modest, since the meek make cooperation possible. The third Magus interrupts this train of thought, pointing out that such a son would simply be trampled on by the more ambitious. He offers his myrrh for the child’s future death. He hopes it will counter the social disgrace that will inevitably result from one who is so meek. This reflection leaves all silent. Finally the third Magus informs Mary that Herod overheard their conversation about setting up a puppet king. Since he already killed some of his own offspring because he was afraid they might take his throne, Herod could well kill all the male children in Bethlehem if he felt threatened. It would be best for Joseph and Mary to leave Judea as soon as possible, and to accept the gifts to help them on their way. He then asks Mary to advise the others of the danger. Mary insists no one would believe her, and refuses. The third Magus and Mary reflect on the fact that we all are sinners. Mary turns her attention to her newborn son, and sings a lullaby about the value of accepting love and grace when found in the midst of hate.