Cal Performances | Opera | Three Decembers (Last Acts)

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Three Decembers (Last Acts)
Music by Jake Heggie
Libretto by Gene Scheer
Based on an original play by Terrence McNally
Patrick Summers, conductor
Leonard Foglia, director
Jake Heggie & Patrick Summers, piano
Cast: Frederica von Stade, Keith Phares &
Kristin Clayton

Two of the Bay Area's best-loved musical artists, composer Jake Heggie (Dead Man Walking) and mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade, reunite for this poignant new chamber opera based on a play by Terrence McNally (Master Class). Through operatic ensembles, spoken dialogue, and Broadway-style solo numbers, Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer explore the loving but often strained relationship between a famous actress and her two grown children, one of whom is a gay man whose partner is dying of AIDS. With the incomparable von Stade as his star, "Heggie has given the distinguished mezzo-soprano a role of a lifetime, and she fills it with style, charm, musical savvy, and great singing," said the Houston Chronicle of the production's February 2008 world premiere at Houston Grand Opera. Sung in English with English supertitles.

Three Decembers (Last Acts) is supported by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.

Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Cal Performances.

This special production is a co-production with San Francisco Opera and Houston Grand Opera.

Select Three Decembers (Last Acts) or Salvatore Licitra as part of a Choose-Your-Own Subscription or add them on to any Series Subscription and save 10% on single-ticket prices!

Patron Sponsors Annette Campbell-White and Dr. R. Naumann-Etienne

Program Notes
Program notes are available approximately one week before the performance.

Video Clips
( QuickTime Player )

Excerpt Collage

Education/Community Events
Key Notes
Fri, Dec 12, 5-6:30 pm
Zellerbach Hall Lobby Mezzanine
Composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer talk about their new opera, presented in association with San Francisco Opera and Houston Grand Opera.

Donor Event
In Conversation with Jake Heggie
Fall 2008
Location TBD
(Donors of $2,500+ by invitation only)
This past March, opera aficionados and critics convened at the Houston Grand Opera for the premiere of composer Jake Heggie's newest work. The buzz was audible and the audience was impressed. In advance of the Bay Area engagement of Three Decembers (Last Acts), our donors will have the chance to hear about the creation of the piece from the composer himself.