Study Guide
Study Guide Contents
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Beginner's Guide to Opera
- Who's Who At the Opera
- The Lyric Opera House
- BOC Education Programs
- A Bibliography of Selected Readings
- Education Resources
2007-2008 SEASON
2006-2007 SEASON
2005-2006 SEASON
2004-2005 SEASON
2003-2004 SEASON
2002-2003 SEASON
PREVIOUS OPERAS
Dead Man Walking
The Story
Prologue
In 1980s Louisiana , two teens on a date are brutally murdered by Joseph and Anthony De Rocher.
Act I
As Sister Helen and Sister Rose teach a hymn to some of their students, Sr. Rose expresses to Sr. Helen her worries about Sr. Helen's plan to visit her new pen pal, a prisoner named Joseph De Rocher, who is now on death row. On her drive to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola , Sr. Helen is stopped for speeding by a motorcycle cop. He lets her off with a warning and asks her to pray for his ill mother. Upon arriving at the prison, Sister Helen meets Father Grenville, the chaplain. He warns her that she is wasting her time; Joe is beyond redemption. The warden tells her that Joe will ask her to be his spiritual advisor as his execution approaches. Upon finally meeting Joe, she is confronted with a facade of bravado as he tests her limits with tales of his escapades with various women. Undaunted, Sr. Helen agrees to join Joe's mother on her appeal to the Parole Commission. Joe finally breaks down and asks Sr. Helen for her help, admitting his fear.
At the parole hearing, Mrs. De Rocher's pleas for her son's life are interrupted by the interjections of Owen Hart, the murdered girl's father. She has no response but to say that killing her son will not bring his daughter back to him. After the hearing, Sister Helen emerges with Mrs. De Rocher and they encounter the victims' parents in the parking lot as news arrives that the appeal has been denied.
On her next visit, Sr. Helen tells Joe that he should admit his guilt and ask for forgiveness. He feels beyond redemption. Sr. Helen, who has not eaten in some time, faints upon hearing the news that the Governor has denied Joe's final appeal.
Act II
After being informed of his execution date, Joe sorts through his conflicting feelings about the whole situation. Meanwhile, Sister Helen awakens from a nightmare about Joe and his victims; she is comforted by Sister Rose, and the two of them realize that Sr. Helen has yet to forgive Joe for his acts.
On the night of his execution, Sr. Helen and Joe make small talk as she tries to convince him to seek forgiveness. Joe's family arrives for a tearful farewell. Left alone, Sr. Helen ponders the situation. The victims' parents arrive to witness the execution and chastise Sr. Helen for siding with Joe; only Owen Hart voices any doubt about the value of executing him. As Joe is prepared for execution, Sr. Helen continues to press Joe to confront his guilt. As she continues to probe, he breaks down and confesses, begging for forgiveness. Sr. Helen assures him that he has it– not just hers, but God's. The warden arrives and escorts Joe to the Death Chamber as those present say the Lord's Prayer. Sister Helen accompanies Joe, reading aloud to him from the Bible until she is allowed no further. She bids him farewell and takes her place with the other witnesses. As the lethal injection is administered, he whispers to her, “I love you” and slips into unconsciousness.