Breaking the Waves
Based on the film by Lars Von Trier, Breaking the Waves tells the story of Bess, a religious young woman deeply in love with her husband Jan. Bess’s marital vows are tested when Jan is paralyzed in an off-shore oil rig accident. As this psychological drama about sacrificial love unfolds, Bess’s unrelenting selflessness escalates towards a devastating finale.
An Opera Philadelphia production, Breaking the Waves was co-commissioned by Opera Philadelphia and Beth Morrison Projects.
Major support for Breaking the Waves has been provided by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and the William Penn Foundation. Additional support is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Wallace Foundation, and OPERA America's Opera Grants for Female Composers program, supported by the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.
Additional commissioning support by Allen Freedman and Judith Brick Freedman and Linda and Stuart Nelson.
Scenery built and painted by Opera Philadelphia
Costumes constructed by Opera Philadelphia
Production owned by Opera Philadelphia
Rehearsed at New 42nd Street Studios
Co-presented with NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts – New York University and Trinity Church Wall Street.
Breaking the Waves is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
Photos by Nicholas Korkos and Dominic M. Mercier for Opera Philadelphia
Composer — Missy Mazzoli
Librettist — Royce Vavrek
Based on the film by — Lars Von Trier
Director — James Darrah
Conductor — Julian Wachner
Scenic Designer — Adam Rigg
Lighting Designer — Pablo Santiago
Projection Designer — Adam Larsen
Costume Designer — Chrisi Karvonides Dushenko
Video Engineer — Shane Meador
Sound Engineer — Marc Urselli
Stage Manager — Becki Smith
Assistant Stage Manager — Jennifer Shaw
Assistant Conductor — Sam McCoy
Assistant Director — Amanda Consol
Rehearsal Pianist — Jody Schum
Show run time — 150 minutes including intermission