Breaking the Waves

Tragic love story

We find ourselves in the rugged Scottish Highlands, in the early 1970s. The young, deeply religious Bess McNeill is married to Jan, a handsome man working on an oil rig. When he becomes paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a work accident, their love is put to the test. He encourages his wife to seek out other lovers and wants her to tell him about her sexual experiences. Those stories will feel as if they are making love together and will keep him alive, he claims. This is, in short, the tragic love story in the famous film Breaking the Waves (1996, Cannes Grand Prix) by the renowned Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier.

Refreshing and provocative

American composer Missy Mazzoli was deeply impressed by the story. 'Immediately after seeing this film, I felt that Bess's overwhelming vulnerability, her steadfast faith, and great courage could manifest themselves in a refreshing and provocative new character on the opera stage. […] In composing music for Bess McNeill and her world, I saw an opportunity to create a new kind of heroine, and a new kind of opera that presents complex characters in an unvarnished way.' In 2016, the opera had a highly successful premiere by Opera Philadelphia. Since then, performances have taken place at the Edinburgh and Adelaide festivals, among others, and by Opéra Comique, Detroit Opera, and Houston Grand Opera.