Tulsa Opera brings to the stage the most successful American opera of the last ten years, Dead Man Walking, on February 25, 2012. Based on the autobiographical bestseller by Sister Helen Prejean, which also inspired the award-winning film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, it is the true story of a nun – Sister Helen herself- who becomes the spiritual advisor of a convicted murderer on death-row in 1980’s Louisiana.
Performances of Dead Man Walking will be held in the Chapman Music Hall at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center on Saturday, February 25, 2012 and Friday, March 2, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and a matinee on Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. All performances will be sung in English.
“It is a quintessentially American story, told by composer Jake Heggie in a quintessentially American musical idiom, that is both thought provoking and stirring,” said Kostis Protopapas, artistic director of Tulsa Opera. “The opera takes us on a musical journey through complicated emotional and moral issues, and delivers a punch that lingers.”
A young nun, Sister Helen, working with the poor in the projects outside New Orleans, becomes a pen pal – and eventually the spiritual advisor – to Joseph De Rocher, a murderer on death row. Through meetings with him, his family and the parents of his victims, Sister Helen makes a journey through pain, conflict and grief to help De Rocher find his way to the truth – and the redemptive power of love.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported after the opening of the opera on Oct. 9, 2000, “The commissioned score, the maiden effort of composer Jake Heggie and librettist Terrence McNally, must be reckoned something of a masterpiece — a gripping, enormously skillful marriage of words and music to tell a story of love, suffering and spiritual redemption.”
One of the country’s most riveting and significant young artists performing today, Mezzo-Soprano Kirstin Chávez makes her Tulsa Opera debut in the role of Sister Helen. Chavez has captured attention and acclaim in her signature roles and is known as the definitive Carmen of the day. In her 2008 debut at the Sidney Opera House with Opera Australia, she was called “stunning …with a confident and earthy stage presence and rich powerful voice.” She has performed with the New York City Opera, Tokyo Opera and Minnesota Opera.
Kirstin is joined by baritone, Michael Mayes, making his Tulsa Opera debut as Joseph De Rocher, a murderer on death row. With a commanding voice and sense of drama, Mayes is known for his passionate portrayals of iconic characters such as as Valentin in Faust with Opera Birmingham; the title role in Don Giovanni with Shreveport Opera and Escamillo in Carmen at Kentucky Opera.
Award-winning soprano Sheryl Woods performs the role of Mrs. Patrick DeRocher, mother of the convicted murderer. Woods’ roles have ranged from Magnolia in Jerone Kern’s beloved Showboat to Violetta in La Traviata. Her career has comprised over seventy-five roles in operas for countless American opera houses including New York City Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, San Diego Opera, Santa Fe Opera and the Washington Opera.
Peter Lindskoog will return to Tulsa Opera as Owen Hart, the father of one of the murder victims, in Dead Man Walking. Lindskoog was last on the Tulsa Opera stage as Germont in La Traviata , the opening production of TO’s 2010-2011 season. Receiving commendations for his superb singing and stage presence, Opera News described his voice as a “handsome, fine-grained baritone.” Recent engagements include a title role debut as Rigoletto with Opera Southwest and in Billy Budd for Pittsburgh Opera.
The production will be staged by Tulsa Opera frequent guest Johnathon Pape, whose most recent work with the Tulsa Opera was the 2010 production of La Traviata.
Dead Man Walking will be conducted by Jerome Shannon. Shannon served as the Mobile Opera’s General Director and Principal Conductor for over 10 years, and currently is the Music Director and Conductor of Pensacola Opera.
Duet mini-subscriptions (Dead Man Walking and Madame Butterfly, starting at $50) are on sale now through the Tulsa Opera box office by calling (918) 587-4811. Single tickets range in price from just $10 to $98 and can be purchased through www.myticketoffice.com . Dead Man Walking is not recommended for audiences under 18 years due to brief violence and nudity.
For more information about Dead Man Walking, visit www.tulsaopera.com.
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