One of the most performed 21st century operas has finally made its premiere in London, and it’s a stunning production.
‘Dead Man Walking,’ based on the 1993 book by Helen Prejean, is the true story of a nun who served as a spiritual adviser to death row inmates and where one in particular murdered a teenage couple. Her book was turned into a 1995 film of the same name that won Susan Sarandon her only Academy Award by playing Prejean, directed by Tim Robbins with Sean Penn playing the death row inmate.
This opera of the same name, now playing at The Coliseum, will also be winning awards. It is excellent. From the cast (Christine Rice as Prejean) to the actor who plays cold blooded murderer Joseph de Rocher (Michael Mayes) to the staging (simple backdrop of two attached buildings that double up as the nuns home as well as the prison). The orchestration is beautiful when it needs to be and jarring during the highly emotional scenes, and the supporting cast (especially the actors who play the parents of the murdered teenagers) bring lots of emotional depth to their characters. English mezzo sorprano Dame Sarah Connolly is particularly raw and memorable as Joseph’s long suffering mother.
This three hour opera (which doesn’t feel like three hours) opens with the murder; a young couple fooling around in a car then suddenly Joseph (and his brother) murder them in cold blood. But at the trial Joseph gets the death sentence while his brother gets life, which Joseph bitterly says that he was unlucky as he had a worse lawyer. Him and sister Prejean correspond with each other via letters and she eventually decides to go and meet him in person to provide spiritual advice and to get him to accept what he had done (which he continues to deny while continuing to appeal his death sentence), but we all know what’s coming.
‘Dead Man Walking’ is an emotionally charged production, gripping, coupling music and singing with intense storytelling (with music by Jake Heggie and libretto by Terrence McNally), not suitable for anyone under 18, and it is highly recommended. Directed by Annilese Miskimmon, ENO’s Artistic Director, and conducted by Kerem Hasan, one of Britain’s most exciting young conductors, there are only three performances left: Nov. 12th, 15th and 18th. So catch it now while you can.