Natchez Opera Festival Dr. Director David Blackburn wants music lovers to know that the Christmas production &uot;Gift of the Magi&uot; is not an opera.

&uot;Children and adults of all ages will enjoy this production,&uot; said Blackburn. &uot;It is a light, simple family musical based on the story written by O. Henry.&uot;

Blackburn said the program, including a children’s choir performance will take a little over an hour. &uot;It is built around a family Christmas,&uot; he said. &uot;My idea of Christmas is children singing and having fun. He promises that, &uot;you will leave knowing the real meaning and message of Christmas – that it is more blessed to give than to receive.&uot;

Blackburn raved about the visiting performers, who will play lead roles in the musical. &uot;Tim Kennedy and Rachel Harris are wonderful talented artists in the graduate program at LSU,&uot; he said.

The coordinator of the opera program at LSU, Lynn Keisker, is the director of &uot;The Gift of the Magi.&uot; Tommy Jackson is the stage director and Sara Coleman is the coordinator of Children’s Voices of Christmas.

Children representing all the area schools make up the children’s choir performing at the opening and closing of the performance.

&uot;We have 70 children from second grade through sixth grade in the choir,&uot; said Blackburn.

&uot;So many people have worked so hard,&uot; he said. &uot;It’s a very special program, bringing people from all cross-sections of Natchez together.&uot;

The performances will be held in Margaret Martin Auditorium on Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased at the ticket shop in the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau, 446-6345. Tickets are also available at the door.