Breaking the Waves (opera)

Breaking the Waves is an opera composed by Missy Mazzoli with a libretto by Royce Vavrek, based on the 1996 film of the same name directed by Lars von Trier. The opera premiered in 2016 at Opera Philadelphia.

The opera tells the story of Bess McNeill, a deeply religious young woman in a strict Calvinist community in the Scottish Highlands. Bess marries Jan, an oil rig worker, and is devastated when he is paralyzed in an accident at sea. Unable to cope with Jan's condition, Bess believes she can communicate with God and, acting upon perceived divine instructions, begins a series of self-destructive acts, engaging in sexual encounters with strangers in the belief that her actions will somehow heal Jan.

Breaking the Waves explores themes of faith, love, sacrifice, mental illness, and societal expectations. The opera is known for its emotionally intense score and its challenging portrayal of Bess's psychological state. Mazzoli's music incorporates elements of modern classical, folk, and rock, creating a distinctive and powerful sound world. The opera has been praised for its dramatic intensity and its exploration of complex moral questions.