The Commonweal Podcast

Ep. 115 - An Opera for ‘Life People’

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Dead Man Walking, based on the acclaimed memoir by Sr. Helen Prejean, may be the world’s most popular contemporary opera. But it had never before been performed on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City—until now. 

On this special episode, in anticipation of the Met Opera’s Live-in-HD broadcast in cinemas on October 21, host Dominic Preziosi is joined by bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, who plays the condemned murderer Joseph DeRocher, and Sr. Helen Prejean herself. 

Together, they discuss the significance of this new production of Dead Man Walking, and why its message of mercy, forgiveness, and redemption continues to resonate with audiences today.


For further reading: 

  • Commonweal’s review of Dead Man Walking
  • An interview with the composer, Jake Heggie
  • Sr. Helen Prejean remembers her 1950s novitiate
    • ...more
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