Opera Australia presents Breaking the Waves Tickets
About Opera Australia presents Breaking the Waves
"You have a golden heart, sometimes too golden, too good. And who am I to warn you of living a life too honest, too true?"
Lars von Trier’s 1996 film about a young woman’s shocking sacrifices for her husband was an immediate sensation on its premiere, winning the Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. The story of the devout Bess McNeill, and the stormy Scottish Highland community she belongs to, resonates deeply with audiences and is now a powerful new opera for our times.
Bess has fallen for Jan, a handsome foreigner and oil rig worker. Soon after their wedding, Jan survives a serious accident that sees him paralysed. Bess’s marital vows and unwavering love are put to the test when her husband asks her to sleep with other men and tell him of her sexual activities. Jan’s request puts Bess at odds with her fiercely religious community, setting in motion a disastrous series of events.
As von Trier breaks open the extreme emotional possibilities of cinema, so does Missy Mazzoli with opera.
Dubbed by Time Out as “Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart”, Mazzoli is one of the most exciting composers working anywhere in the world. Her adaptation of von Trier’s film has been acclaimed as one of the 21st century’s best operas.
The film’s unsettling silence becomes a roar of emotion in Mazzoli’s score. The suffocating, revealing close-ups become richly textured arias.
Australian conductor Jessica Cottis and Melbourne Theatre Company Artistic Director Anne-Louise Sarks bring Bess’s story to life in this semi-staged production.
The cast is led by the superb Jennifer Black as Bess. Australian-raised baritone Duncan Rock plays Jan, reprising his acclaimed performance from the opera’s European premiere at Edinburgh International Festival.
Run time
2hrs 50mins (incl interval)
Start date
26th July, 2024
Categories
Age
TBD
Venue
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
Accessibility
The venue is wheelchair accessible. An Assistive Hearing system is available. Assistance Animals are welcome in all areas of Arts Centre Melbourne and water bowls are available on request.
Directions
GETTING TO THE VENUE
BY CAR: The Arts Centre Melbourne undercover car park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The car park entrance is located at 4 Sturt Street. It is housed underneath the Theatres Building – a 5 minute walk (outside) to Hamer Hall or a 10 minute walk along St Kilda Rd to Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The car park is a cash-free facility, so please make sure you have a valid credit or debit card before entering.
BY TRAIN: The closest train station to all venues is Flinders Street Station. Exit the station onto Swanston Street, turn your back on the city and walk across Princes Bridge.
BY TRAM: The tram routes that stop in front of Arts Centre Melbourne are: 1, 3, 3a, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72. This stop is number 14 – “Arts Precinct"
BY BICYCLE: Bicycle lanes run north and south along St Kilda Road. On-street bicycle hoops are available outside Hamer Hall and the Theatres Building (under the Spire)
More information about Opera Australia presents Breaking the Waves
COMPOSER: Missy Mazzoli
LIBRETTO: Royce Vavrek
BASED ON THE FILM BY: Lars von Trier
CONDUCTOR: Jessica Cottis
DIRECTOR: Anne-Louise Sarks
CAST: Jennifer Black, Duncan Rock, Sian Sharp, Emma Matthews
ORCHESTRA: Orchestra Victoria
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