Boston Conservatory at Berklee to Present Opera 'Dead Man Walking' this November

Boston Conservatory at Berklee will present the 2000 opera Dead Man Walking from November 16 through 19 at the Boston Conservatory Theater, located at 31 Hemenway Street in Boston.

Based on the novel by Sister Helen Prejean that inspired the 1995 Oscar-nominated film, the opera adaptation explores themes of brutality and redemption. Sister Helen Prejean’s experience as the spiritual advisor and witness to the execution of two convicted murderers led her to a career in prisoner advocacy and capital punishment reform.

The opera, which will be conducted by Andrew Altenbach and directed by Johnathon Pape, will be sung in English with supertitles. The music for Dead Man Walking was composed by Jake Heggie with libretto by Terrence McNally.

"Powerful, brutal, and at times harrowing, Dead Man Walking is certainly an indictment of capital punishment, but most importantly, it is a story of redemption,” said Pape. "In the opera, Sister Helen leads a death row inmate on the uphill journey to admitting what he has done and asking for forgiveness before he dies. As the outcry for criminal justice reform gets louder, even as our political landscape becomes ever more polarized, Dead Man Walking is a timely and potent opera. I am thrilled to showcase the talent of Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s opera students in this meaningful production.”

Evening performances will take place November 16 through 18 at 8:00 p.m.; a matinee will take place on November 19 at 2:00 p.m.

Tickets for Dead Man Walking are $30 for premium seating, $25 for regular seating, $20 to$25 for senior citizens, Conservatory alumni, and WGBH members, and $15 to $20 for students.

How to Purchase Tickets:

Online: Visit the Conservatory's event page.

By Phone: 617-912-9222, Wednesday–Friday, 12:00–5:00 p.m.