Time, Death, and the Bayards: A Comparative Analysis of the Opera Libretto of The Long Christmas Dinner and the Play

Abstract This article provides an initial scholarly analysis of the literary text of Wilder’s libretto for the opera version of The Long Christmas Dinner in comparison with the playscript from which it was adapted. It begins with an exploration of the structure and theatrical conventions of the libretto in relation to the playscript. It then explores a question often raised about Thornton Wilder’s works but especially about the libretto for The Long Christmas Dinner opera: Is there a dramatic plot? The article then explores the themes of the libretto, such as time and death, the need to remember, and seeing one another in a spiritual/metaphysical way. After comparing the exploration of these themes in the opera to that in the playscript, the article closes with a cursory look at themes beyond the scope of this article that invite further study. The hope is that this will lead more scholars to consider this important and impactful piece of operatic literature.