SF Opera's Dead Man Walking

* Notes *

Twenty-five years after San Francisco Opera premiered Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking (Act II pictured, photograph by Cory Weaver), the opera again graced the War Memorial Opera House stage this afternoon. The drama of this piece is quite intense and the singing and was strong.

Leonard Foglia’s production from 2002 involves many layers and the scenes switch effortlessly. Vertical space is used well, and there are artful ways that the scenes can be changed without taking extra time.

Maestro Patrick Summers had good control of the orchestra. There was some beautiful shimmery moments and the references to more contemporary music, such as Elvis, sounded natural and idiomatic

The cast has 29 principals, and the singing was quite good. One of the most impactful moments came in Act I, Scene 8, when the four parents of the murdered victims confront Sister Helen Prejean and the murderer Joseph De Rocher’s mother.

Mezzo-soprano Nikola Printz looked and sounded convincing as Jade Boucher, mother of the murdered boy, as did tenor Samuel White as Howard Boucher. Soprano Caroline Corrales did well as the mother of the murdered girl, and baritone Rod Gilfry was especially moving as Owen Hart, the father of the girl. Gilfry was heartbreaking in the second act, when he tells Sister Helen that the death of his daughter's murderer will likely not bring him peace.

Soprano Brittany Renee has a beautifully pure tone as Sister Rose, and mezzo-soprano Susan Graham gave a lot of nuance to Mrs. Patrick De Rocher, her pleading for her son was very moving.

Bass-baritone Ryan McKinny was alarmingly sympathetic as convicted murderer Joseph De Rocher, it was easy to see why Sister Helen Prejean is drawn to him. Best of all was Jamie Barton as Prejean, her rich voice has a lot of color and strength. She is also an excellent actor, and was utterly believable in her role.

* Tattling *

There was some light talking early on in the opera, but the piece definitely was engaging and less chatter was noted as the afternoon progressed.

There were a few phone rings as the De Boucher family gathered in Act II. There was also a very funny line in this scene about De Bouchers not crying unless they ran out of beer.

War Memorial has instituted a new screening system that is supposed to be quick and easy, but it seemed cumbersome for patrons in wheelchairs, as they had to double back to go through the system since they are not set up by the accessible entrance on the south side of the building.