Three Decembers is a chamber opera in two acts by Jake Heggie to a libretto by Gene Scheer which is based on the unpublished play Some Christmas Letters by Terrence McNally. Created with a role for Frederica von Stade, the work premiered on 29 February 2008 at the Houston Grand Opera (HGO). It commissioned the work in association with the San Francisco Opera and Cal Performances.
| Three Decembers | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Jake Heggie | |
 The opera's composer | |
| Librettist | Gene Scheer |
| Based on | Some Christmas Letters by Terrence McNally |
| Premiere | February 29, 2008 |
The opera was first presented under the working title Last Acts at the world premiere by the Houston Grand Opera. The premiere production was directed by Leonard Foglia with lighting designed by Brian Nason and costumes by Cesar Galindo. The ten-instrument chamber orchestra included two pianos played by Heggie himself as well as Patrick Summers, who also conducted the performance.[1][2]
Synopsis
editThe three parts of the opera are set in the month of December in the years 1986, 1996 and 2006 and it tells the story of a famous actress, Madeline, and her two adult children as they struggle to know and love each other.[1] "It is the universal story about the family we wish for and the family we wind up with."[3]
Roles
edit| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 29 February 2008[4] Conductor: Patrick Summers |
|---|---|---|
| Madeline (Maddie), a famous actress | mezzo-soprano | Frederica von Stade |
| Charlie, Madeline's son | baritone | Keith Phares |
| Beatrice (Bea), Madeline's daughter | soprano | Kristin Clayton |
References
edit- ^ a b Sohre, James (March 17, 2008). "Heggie's "Last Acts"". Opera Today. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ Sigman, Matthew (July 2015). "Composing a Life". Opera News. Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ University of Pittsburgh OCC (November 18, 2011). "The Three Decembers". Retrieved April 28, 2016.
- ^ Griffel, Margaret Ross (2012). Operas in English: A Dictionary, p. 267. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810883252
External links
edit- Blank, Matt (6 March 2008). "Photo Journal: Jake Heggie's Last Acts Premieres at Houston Grand Opera". Playbill. Retrieved 2008-03-31.