The Exterminating Angel (opera)

The Exterminating Angel is an opera in three acts by Thomas Adès, with a libretto by Tom Cairns in collaboration with Adès. The opera is based on the 1962 surrealist film of the same name by Luis Buñuel. It was commissioned by the Salzburg Festival, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Royal Danish Theatre.

The opera's plot closely follows the film's narrative: a group of wealthy socialites finds themselves inexplicably unable to leave the dining room of a lavish mansion after a dinner party. As time passes, their polite facade crumbles, and they descend into primal instincts, paranoia, and violence. The lack of a rational explanation for their confinement creates a claustrophobic and increasingly disturbing atmosphere.

Adès's score is notable for its complexity, dissonance, and incorporation of diverse musical styles. It utilizes unusual instrumental combinations and extended vocal techniques to create a sense of unease and psychological tension. The opera explores themes of social breakdown, the fragility of civility, the power of irrationality, and the darker aspects of human nature.

The Exterminating Angel premiered at the Salzburg Festival on July 28, 2016. It has since been performed at the Royal Opera House (London), the Metropolitan Opera (New York), and other major opera houses. The opera has been praised for its compelling adaptation of Buñuel's film, its innovative and challenging score, and its insightful exploration of the film's themes. Its challenging nature and demanding score have also generated discussion and debate among audiences and critics.