(Credit: The Atlanta Opera)

Baritone Michael Mayes  is set to make his debut at The Israeli Opera in his signature role of Joseph de Rocher in Jake Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking.”

The baritone has performed the Jake Heggie opera to great acclaim at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Washington National Opera, The Atlanta Opera, Tulsa Opera, Central City Opera, Madison Opera, New Orleans Opera, and The BBC Orchestra.

Composer Jake Heggie took special notice of Mayes’ portrayal stating, “Mike Mayes is one of the finest dramatic singing actors I’ve ever worked with and he is the definitive Joseph De Rocher in ‘Dead Man Walking.’ Vocally and physically, he embodies and lives this character as nobody else has. I have learned more about my own opera because of his performance and the extraordinary drama and humanity he brings to it.”

Mayes will sing in Tomer Zvulun’s production from The Atlanta Opera  which is set to run from Dec. 11 to 19, 2019 in Tel Aviv. The cast also includes Maya Lahani, Maria Zifchak, and Tali Ketsef.