25 years ago the gripping opera Dead Man Walking premiered at San Francisco Opera with mezzo-soprano Susan Graham center stage.

“It was a journey,” Graham said, who originated the role of Sister Helen Prejean in the opera written by new SFCM faculty Jake Heggie. The opera is based on Prejean's 1993 book of the same name and tells the story of a nun who becomes the spiritual advisor to a convicted murderer on death row.

Composer Jake Heggie leads the discussion in late September.

“What we saw on the page we had to bring to life everyday,” Graham added. Now, a quarter of a century later, the opera has returned to the SF Opera stage, with Graham now playing the part of Mrs. Patrick De Rocher. Ryan McKinney and Jamie Barton fill out the cast as Joseph De Rocher and Sister Helen respectively. The opera ran through the end of September at SF Opera’s War Memorial Opera House

All three came to SFCM recently, along with conductor Patrick Summers, who also conducted the premiere, to visit Heggie’s class called “Dead Man Walking: An Operatic Journey.” In this class students learn the inner workings of how to create an opera, culminating in a final project of presenting their idea for a full-length mainstage opera that they feel would resonate today including how it would be cast, staged, marketed, and supported.

Students listen in the Cha Chi Ming recital hall.

The four shared insights into what it was like to premiere such a dark opera that would go on to be staged more than 80 times world-wide, becoming the most performed contemporary opera. 

“It really scared me,” Graham told students of how she felt at the time, adding that “it was something that I had to do.” 

The four spoke with students on what it was like performing the opera, and advice on what to expect in a future career in opera or composition. 

“It was a tough score to learn,” Barton added, “daunting but wonderful, what a gift.” In addition to giving advice the four answered questions from students including, how to destress from dealing with such dark subject matter. 

Vocal performance, conducting, and composition students.

“You are expected to give everything on stage, and then you're expected to give more,”  McKinney said. Telling students that while performing can be incredibly rewarding, for artists, taking care of yourself is just as important as what you bring to the stage, “It’s challenging when you’re doing a powerful piece, but you have to prioritize your mental health,” he added.

Learn more about studying Composition, Voice, or Opera Studies at SFCM.