It took nearly 20 years for composer Jake Heggie and librettist Terrence McNally’s powerhouse of an opera, Dead Man Walking, to make it to Lyric Opera of Chicago. In the interim, it’s been Chicago Opera Theater that gave us a chance to see any of Heggie’s work, including last spring’s Moby-Dick and 2010’s Three Decembers. So, it’s about time, Lyric. And this gut-punching production, directed by Leonard Foglia (and almost as old as the opera), is not to be missed.
Heggie’s vocal writing is mostly a sort of tuneful recitative, hinting of New Orleans jazz and blues and interspersed with some actual, gospel-style song. Along with a melodic and expressive orchestral score and powerful use of silence, sound effects, and spoken voice, it serves McNally’s masterful drama well. Nicole Paiement conducts; the entire cast is excellent, and includes, among many compelling reasons to take in this production, veteran mezzo- soprano Susan Graham (who was the original Sister Helen, two decades ago) as the mother of the condemned murderer. Her performance—superbly sung and utterly, devastatingly convincing—is a peak opera-going experience. v
Through 11/22: Wed 11/6, 7 PM; Sun 11/10 and Wed 11/13, 2 PM; Sat 11/16, 7:30 PM; Fri 11/22, 7 PM, Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker, 312-827-5600, lyricopera.org , $49-$219.
