Letter from Caspar Ewig

An (Epiphany) New Year’s Resolution

In his program notes to the RCA recording of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Gian Carlo Menotti summarized his reason to portray King Kaspar as being slightly deaf. In Italy, he explained, Christmas gifts are not brought by Santa Claus, but rather by the Magi, the three kings mentioned in St Matthews’ Gospel. And each Italian child had his favorite king. Gian Carlo’s brother’s favorite was King Kaspar, but since he never brought all the gifts that were asked for, the brother determined that King Kaspar must be a bit hard of hearing.

As his namesake, I was always a bit offended by the fact that King Kaspar was not only portrayed as slightly deaf but also a bit batty. Among other things, he always traveled with a box of stones, which, as he described in his aria: “This is my box…in the first drawer I keep my magic stones!” He then proceeds to list all the ails and tribulations against which the stones protect him.

But when the crippled Amahl finally skews up the courage to ask him: “Sir, among your magic stones, do you…have one that can heal a crippled boy?” Kaspar cups his hand to his ear and responds with a shrill, “Eh?” To which Amahl follows with the saddest of all expressions: “Never mind.” Not only is he defeated and left without an answer, but he could not bring himself to ask it again.

Every time I hear that interplay at Christmastime, I resolve, in this New Year, to keep my ears open and really make a concerted effort not only to hear the actual question asked but also to be aware of the situations and circumstances that surround me and to which I should really respond. But it’s so tempting to keep a deaf ear or a blind eye, especially when the issue is potentially uncomfortable. After all, if I don’t hear the question or admit the challenge, I can sidestep the issue and avoid the need and effort to formulate an answer. Too often, the frustrations and busyness of daily life cause me to become self-absorbed and stop listening, until St. Peter’s crow reminds of my failure to live up to the resolve.

But the resolution is worth repeating, and this year I will couple it with the resolve to stay the course.

Caspar Ewig
Cooperstown