Steven LaBrie to debut role of Charlie in Three Decembers

Steven LaBrie (Photo right: Braddon Murphy)

Barihunk Steven LaBrie is the latest singer to take on the role of the gay son Charlie in Jake Heggie's chamber opera Three Decembers. His role debut will be at the San Diego Opera on March 8, 9 and 10 at the Patrick Henry Performing Arts Center.

The role of Charlie has become a barihunk vehicle with Matthew Worth, Jesse Blumberg, Carlton Ford, Keith Phares, Wes Mason, Daniel Teadt and Jarrett Ott all taking on the role.

Daniel Teadt sings Charlie's Act 1 aria: 

Three Decembers tells the story of a famous stage actress – Madeline Mitchell – and her two adult children: Beatrice and Charlie. Both children resent their mother's long absences on the road and her lack of concern for the tragedies in their lives. Charlie believes his mother is distant because he is gay, even as his partner, Burt, is dying of AIDS. Meanwhile, Beatrice, trapped in an unhappy marriage, feels Madeline resents her enduring affection for their deceased father. As the story unfolds over the decades, long-simmering resentments surface, accusations are hurled, and family secrets revealed, leading ultimately to a hard-won peace and forgiveness for both the living and the dead.

Frederica Von Stade will sing the role of the mother Madeline Mitchell, which the composer wrote for her, while Kristin Clayton portrays the other sibling Beatrice.

Before heading to San Diego, Steven LaBrie can be heard singing Belcore in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at the Omaha Opera on February 15 and 17. 

A Touching Moment

[Frederica von Stade and Matthew Worth]


Few young opera singers have taken the opera world by storm like Matthew Worth. One can't have a serious conversation about the rapidly rising stars in opera without his name being mentioned. His recent performances of Owen Wingrave in Chicago, Don Giovanni at Virginia Opera and Mercutio in New Orleans' Romeo et Juliette were all critical successes. Add to that his abundance of charisma and good looks and you have a true opera star in the making.

One of our readers saw this picture on the blog of Brian Dickie, the general manager of the Chicago Opera Theater, and sent it our way. Dickie wrote:

Frederica von Stade (Flicka) is here and rehearsing with her new stage children - Matt Worth and Sara Jakubiak. Here you see her with Matt this afternoon. The mother son relationship is there already!

"Three Decembers" is an amazingly touching chamber opera by San Francisco based composer Jake Heggie. We've featured photos of Keith Phares and Frederica von Stade from the west coast premiere with the San Francisco Opera.

[Frederica von Stade and Keith Phares]


The story is about Madeline Mitchell, a glamorous and self-absorbed star of the musical theater world. She struggles to deal with her unhappily married alcoholic daughter and a gay son struggling with the death of his partner.

The opera will run at the Chicago Opera Theater from May 8-16. Click HERE for more information or to buy tickets.

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