Breaking the Waves - English National Opera
London Coliseum
- Opens: Saturday, 13 February 2027 -
Booking until: Thursday, 25 February 2027 - Running time: 2hr 35min. Incl. 1 Interval.
Breaking the Waves - English National Opera description
Breaking the Waves is a hauntingly lovely opera packed with emotional intensity.
Boldly exploring powerful themes of loss, faith and heartbreak, Breaking the Waves takes adult audiences on a unique journey. As one of today's most moving contemporary operas, it has been adapted from Lars von Trier's brilliant 1996 film, Missy Mazzoli's Breaking the Waves, in a brand new production that has been described as 'striking'.
The story? We're whisked away to a remote Scottish island, home to a strict religious community. When Bess falls in love with oil rig worker Jan, they marry. All is well until a horrific accident leaves Jan paralysed, unable to have sex. He asks Bess to make love to other men then describe it to him. Devout Bess perceives his request as god's will, reluctantly having increasingly risky encounters with strangers. Will her actions save Jan as he believes they will? These are the murky depths humans are willing to go, and this is a test of faith that'll leave you reeling. Prepare yourself for an opera of quite startling beauty, delivering a cinematic experience like no other.
Composer Missy Mazzoli is a cultural heroine, the first female ever commissioned by the USA's Metropolitan Opera, influenced by luminaries like Benjamin Britten and Philip Glass. And the Librettist Royce Vavrek creates an unusually intimate human voice.
The opera is directed by Tinuke Craig and conducted by Joana Carneiro. Grammy-nominated Lauren Snouffer makes her ENO debut as Bess, returning to a role she has sung numerous times to great acclaim. Liam James Karai plays Jan. Mezzo-soprano Joanne Evans plays Dodo McNeill, Emma Bell plays Mrs McNeill, and ex-Harewood singer Elgan Llŷr Thomas plays Dr Richardson.
Love a story with considerable psychological depth? Buy Breaking the Waves tickets to experience an unusually powerful modern opera.
Playing at London Coliseum
Age restrictions
Ages 18+.
Important information
Sung in English, with surtitles projected above the stage.
This opera contains depictions of sex and violence including domestic & sexual violence, violence in a religious context, mutilation and attempted suicide.