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Breaking the Waves
Composer:Missy Mazzoli
Librettist:Royce Vavrek
Synopsis
Set in the Scottish Highlands in the early 1970s, Breaking the Waves tells the story of Bess McNeill, a religious young woman with a deep love for her husband Jan, a handsome oil rig worker. When Jan becomes paralyzed in an off-shore accident, Bess’s marital vows are put to the test as he encourages her to seek other lovers and return to his bedside to tell him of her sexual activities. He insists that the stories will feel like they are making love together and keep him alive. Bess’s increasing selflessness leads to a finale of divine grace, but at great cost.

Productions
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COMPANYTITLEDATES
Houston Grand OperaBreaking the Waves4/19/2025 - 5/4/2025
Detroit OperaBreaking the Waves4/6/2024 - 4/14/2024
Los Angeles OperaBreaking the Waves3/12/2021 - 3/12/2021
West Edge OperaBreaking the Waves8/10/2019 - 8/18/2019
Beth Morrison ProjectsBreaking the Waves1/6/2017 - 1/9/2017
Opera PhiladelphiaBreaking the Waves9/22/2016 - 10/1/2016


OPERA America/Opera.ca Grants Awarded
Click here to learn more about OPERA America granting programs.
GRANT NAMEYEAR
New Works Exploration Grants2017
Opera Grants for Women Composers: Commissioning Grants2015
New Works Sampler 2014
Title Information

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Approximate Runtime (hh:mm)
2:15

 Number of Acts
3

 Original Cast
Kiera Duffy (BESS MCNEILL)
John Moore (JAN NYMAN)
Eve Gigliotti (DODO MCNEILL)
David Portillo (DR. RICHARDSON)
Patricia Schuman (BESS'S MOTHER)
Zachary James (TERRY)
Marcus DeLoach (CHURCH COUNCILMAN & ELDER)

Technical Production Directory
There are 2 entries in the Technical Production Directory for this work.

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