Music by Jake Heggie, libretto by Terrence McNally
Based on the Book by Sister Helen Prejean
Directed by Ivo van Hove
Dead Man Walkingย contains adult themes and strong language. Parental discretion advised.
American composer Jake Heggieโs compelling masterpiece, the most widely performed new opera of the last 20 years, arrives in cinemas in a haunting new production by Ivo van Hove. Based on Sister Helen Prejeanโs memoir about her fight for the soul of a condemned murderer, Dead Man Walking matches the high drama of its subject with Heggieโs beautiful and poignant music and a brilliant libretto by Tony and Emmy Awardโwinner Terrence McNally. Met Music Director Yannick Nรฉzet-Sรฉguin takes the podium, with mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato starring as Sister Helen. The outstanding cast also features bass-baritone Ryan McKinny as the death-row inmate Joseph De Rocher, soprano Latonia Moore as Sister Rose, and legendary mezzo-soprano Susan Grahamโwho sang Helen Prejean in the operaโs 2000 premiereโas De Rocherโs mother.
