Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, one of the great operas of the 21st century, based on the novel of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, plunges uncompromisingly into the abyss of capital punishment. The Teatro Real presents this production directed by Mark Wigglesworth and Leonard Foglia, with Joyce DiDonato and Michael Mayes in the leading roles.
In Louisiana, towards the end of the 20th century, the fate of the brutal murderer Joseph de Rocher, held captive in prison, becomes entangled in a race against time with the unwavering compassion of Sister Helen Prejean, called upon to be his spiritual guide before his execution. In a suffocating atmosphere, the nun must withstand social pressure and the heart-wrenching grief of the parents of the murdered teenagers whilst attempting to break down the prisoner’s wall of pride and denial, turning this story into a frantic journey towards truth and redemption.
Opera in two acts
Music by Jake Heggie
Libretto by Terrence McNally
Based on the novel by Sister Helen Prejean
Opera commissioned by the San Francisco Opera
Premiere at the Teatro Real
Production of the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Artistic team
Conductor | Mark Wigglesworth
Stage director | Leonard Foglia
Set designer | Michael McGarty
Costume designer | Jess Goldstein
Lighting designer | Brian Nason
Video | Elaine J. McCarthy
Chorus master | Andrés Máspero
Children's chorus master | Ana González
Cast
Sister Helen | Joyce DiDonato
Joseph DeRocher | Michael Mayes
Mrs. DeRocher | Maria Zifchak
Sister Rose | Measha Brueggergosman
George Benton | Damián del Castillo
Father Grenville | Roger Padullés
Kitty Hart | María Hinojosa
Owen Hart | Toni Marsol
Jade Boucher | Marta de Castro
Howard Boucher | Vicenç Esteve
A motorbike policeman | Enric Martínez-Castignani
Sister Catherine | Celia Alcedo
Sister Lillianne | Marifé Nogales
First guard | Enric Martínez-Castignani
Second guard | Tomeu Bibiloni
Teatro Real Chorus and Orchestra
Pequeños Cantores of the ORCAM
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