Dead Man Walking, Quarantined
Need to know
* Rated R. Some material may not be suitable for children. Violent death and sexual assault.*
Jake Heggie
Heggie is one of the most prolific American composers of the 21st century. He has composed for multiple genres including 8 full length operas, including Dead Man Walking, Three Decembers, Moby Dick, and It’s a Wonderful Life.
He began studying piano at the age of seven, after his father’s suicide, the young Heggie also began writing music. After high school, his studies included two years at the American College in Paris and then at University of California, Los Angeles. At UCLA, he would meet his most significant teacher, Johana Harris. Describing their relationship, Heggie would tell Opera News, “There was an immediate bond. She was a magnificent teacher, a brilliant artist in every way, and she was nurturing and encouraging. She couldn’t stand naïve musicians. She wanted you to have a broad recognition of what the world had to offer in literature, music, art, food and daily life. She was all about unleashing inspiration, trusting instincts, opening up your heart and soul to possibility. And she saw something in me as an artist and as a composer that I didn’t see or recognize in myself.” Read more from this Opera News interview here.
The composer has created strong friendships with some of the great singers of today, including Frederica von Stade (1994). With her encouragement, Heggie entered and won the Schirmer American Art Competition in 1995. This recognition would propel the young composer to eventually cross paths with San Francisco Opera’s General Director Lofti Mansouri who proposed the idea of Heggie working with librettist Terrence McNally in creating a new opera for their 2000 season, Dead Man Walking.
Read more about Jake Heggie at his website.
Dead Man Walking
Dead Man Walking is Jake Heggie’s first opera with a libretto by Terrence McNally, based on a book of the same name by Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. The story is based on Sister Helen’s experiences with two convicts on death row.
The opera premiered in San Francisco in 2000, since then it has gone on to more the 70 international productions, 2 live recordings, and has been performed more than 300 times, making it the most performed American opera of the 21st Century.
Dead Man Walking was scheduled to be performed for the Metropolitan Opera’s 20/21 season, including a Met Live Broadcast. This production has been cancelled this season due to Covid-19 and will be scheduled for a future season.
Read about the composer, the librettist, and the novelist’s creative journey in this article from Michigan Opera Theatre, “The Journey of Dead Man Walking”
Sister Helen Prejean, C.S.J. and Capital Punishment
“Let me tell you something. One of the great discoveries of my life has been that sometimes you find God where you least expect to find God.” ~ Sister Helen Prejean
Sister Helen Prejean is a Roman Catholic sister and a leading advocate for the abolition of the death penalty. She founded groups SURVIVE, served as the National Chairperson for National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, and established The Moratorium Campaign. Her best selling book, Dead Man Walking has been adapted into a movie, opera, and play.
Dive deeper with this podcast, On Being with Krista Tippet: Episode "Reflections on the Death Penalty in America” talk with Sister Helen, as well as, Debbie Morris, a survivor of one of the death row inmates Sister Helen counseled.
Redemption
Dead Man Walking is about a journey towards redemption. We raise a glass to this journey with a Redemption Manhattan. Watch John create the cocktail here.
Ingredients: 2 oz Redemption Rye, 1 oz Sweet Vermouth, 2 dashes of bitters, Orange peel for garnish. Directions: Add all your ingredients into a mixing vessel with ice and stir, strain into a rocks glasses with ice and garnish with an orange peel. Enjoy!
Synopsis
Plot overview: From StageAgent.com
Set in 1980s Louisiana, Dead Man Walking concerns the relationship between a death row inmate, Joseph De Rocher, and the nun, Sister Helen, who gives him love and support. Even though Joseph has committed a horrible crime and the public has condemned him, Sister Helen agrees to be his spiritual advisor. The unlikely pair end up forming a close friendship. Finally, right before Joseph is put to death, Sister Helen convinces him to confess his sins, beg for forgiveness and give peace to his troubled soul.
Full Synopsis: Read the full synopsis from the Met.
Streaming
Currently there is no full production available to stream. The World Premiere recording of San Francisco Opera’s production is available on Jake Heggie’s website for purchase. There are scenes available to view from multiple company’s productions on youtube as well as this playlist on youtube and this playlist on spotify.
A few scenes to check out!
“He will Gather Us Around” becomes Sister Helen’s leitmotif throughout the opera. Here is a link to the song, here is a clip from Shreveport Opera
Sister Helen’s Aria: “This Journey”
Joseph De Rocher’s Aria: “Everybody Hear That?”
Mrs. De Rocher’s Aria: “The Defendant’s Mother, Mrs. Patrick De Rocher”
Sister Helen and Joseph De Rocher’s Duet: “Confession Scene”
Ensemble: “You don’t know what it’s like”. Here is a link to the song, here is clip from Minnesota Opera