Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek’s 'Breaking The Waves' has startled and impressed audiences across the world – and now it's Melbourne's turn to experience this contemporary opera.
Opera Australia will present a Melbourne-exclusive, one-night-only, semi-staged performance of 'Breaking The Waves', directed by Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks, and conducted by the award-winning Jessica Cottis.
Lars von Trier's 1996 film of the same name, about a young woman's sacrifices for her husband, was an immediate sensation. Bess has fallen for Jan, a handsome foreigner and oil rig worker. Soon after their wedding Jan survives a serious accident – one which leaves him paralysed. Bess's marital vows and love are put to the test, when Jan asks her to sleep with other men and tell him of her sexual activities.
Read our interview with soprano Jennifer Black.
This request puts Bess at odds with her fiercely religious community, as a disastrous series of events is put in motion.
Lars von Trier breaks open the extreme emotional possibilities of cinema with 'Breaking The Waves', and Missy Mazzoli does the same in the story's rebirth as an opera.
Here are five reasons you can't miss 'Breaking The Waves'.
One
Discover ‘the most startling new American opera in memory’.'Breaking The Waves' is based on Lars von Trier’s seminal psychological drama, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. The operatic adaptation has won rave reviews everywhere it’s played, including at Edinburgh and Adelaide Festivals.
Two
Hear music by ‘Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart’.Missy Mazzoli is one of today’s most influential composers, who recently became one of the first two women to be commissioned by Metropolitan Opera. She was famously hailed by Time Out New York as 'Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart'.
Three
See a staging by some of Australia’s best creative talent.'Breaking The Waves' is making its Melbourne premiere in a semi-staged production directed by Melbourne Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Anne-Louise Sarks. It features designs by Marg Horwell, who just won an Olivier Award for her work on the West End season of 'The Picture Of Dorian Gray'.
Four
Witness role debuts by some of Australia’s best voices.This performance features a dream cast of local singers. Australia-based soprano Jennifer Black takes on the extraordinary lead role of Bess, opposite Australian-raised baritone Duncan Rock, who reprises his acclaimed performance as Jan from the opera’s European premiere at Edinburgh International Festival. They’re supported by a cast of Opera Australia favourites, including Emma Matthews, John Longmuir, Sian Sharp and Gennadi Dubinsky.
Five
Experience some of contemporary opera’s most moving music, played by Orchestra Victoria.The score for 'Breaking The Waves' is an incredible ride: it ranges from lushly lyrical to sparse and unsettling. Orchestra Victoria will traverse this musical landscape under the baton of Jessica Cottis, the Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
'Breaking The Waves' plays Arts Centre Melbourne 26 July.
