• Konzert und Theater St Gallen, Switzerland.

    This European World Premiere chamber opera by composer Missy Mazzoli and librettist Royce Vavrek is based on the 1996 Academy Award-nominated film by Lars von Trier. Set in the Scottish Highlands in the early 1970s, Breaking the Waves tells the story of Bess McNeill, a religious young woman with a deep love for her husband Jan, a handsome oil rig worker. When Jan becomes paralyzed in an off-shore accident, Bess’s marital vows are put to the test as he encourages her to seek other lovers and return to his bedside to tell him of her sexual activities. He insists that the stories will feel like they are making love together and keep him alive. Bess’s increasing selflessness leads to a finale of divine grace, but at great cost.

    Winner of the 2017 award for “Best New Opera” by the Music Critics Association of North America, groundbreaking composer Missy Mazzoli's first large-scale opera is already recognized as one of the most powerful music-theater pieces of our time.

    "It is not easy to find new operas that command attention, tell their story lucidly and create a powerful, permeating mood. Dark and daring, 'Breaking the Waves' does all this with sensitivity and style."

    – New York Times

  • Description text goes hereComposed by Missy Mazzoli and libretto by Royce Vavrek, Breaking the Waves is based on the 1996 Academy Award-nominated film by Lars von Trier

    Musikalische Leitung: Modestas Pitrenas

    Inszenierung: Melly Still

    Ausstattung: Ana Inés Jabares-Pita

    Licht: Malcolm Rippeth

    Choreinstudierung: Franz Obermair

    Dramaturgie: Christina Schmidl

    Regieassistenz: Edith Ronacher

    Photography: Edyta Dufaj