Breaking the Waves

This hauntingly beautiful opera explores faith, heartbreak and loss with unflinching emotional intensity. Emerging as one of the most powerful contemporary operas of our time and adapted from Lars von Trier’s critically acclaimed film, Missy Mazzoli’s Breaking the Waves comes to ENO in a striking new production for 2026/27.

Book your tickets to experience the drama and emotion of Breaking the Waves in a new opera production, live at the London Coliseum in 2027.

Please note our recommended age guidance for Breaking the Waves is 18+.

Overview

On a remote Scottish island, within a strict religious community, Bess meets oil rig worker Jan, and they fall in love. They are happily married, until a terrible accident leaves Jan paralysed and no longer able to have a sexual relationship with his wife.

He asks Bess to have sex with other men and describe her experiences to him; convincing her that this will help him to heal. Bess, a deeply devout woman, believing it’s God’s will, reluctantly embarks upon a series of increasingly dangerous encounters with strangers.

Will her sacrifice save the man she loves? Or will she be left the tragic victim of a system indifferent to her suffering? Find out what depths humanity is willing to go to in this ultimate test of faith.

Staging and score

Adapted from Lars von Trier’s multi-award-winning 1996 film of the same name, this opera maintains its haunting beauty and cinematic experience from screen to stage.

Composer Missy Mazzoli is a cultural trailblazer, the first woman commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and hailed as ‘Brooklyn’s post-millennial Mozart’ (Time Out).

With its psychological depth and conversational yet expressive qualities. Mazzoli’s music is influenced both by Britten and the minimalist music of Philip Glass in its use of hypnotic rhythmic pattern.

Librettist Royce Vavrek brings an intimate, human voice to the work. A long‑time collaborator of Mazzoli, he is known for creating contemporary librettos that probe belief, morality and power with piercing clarity.

Singers and creatives

Directed by Tinuke Craig who returns following her award nominated production of Blue (2023) and conducted by Joana Carneiro who is renowned for her commitment to contemporary operas. She makes a welcome return following recent productions of ENO’s Mary, Queen of Scots (2025) and The Handmaid’s Tale (2022 and 2024).

Making her ENO debut is Grammy Award-nominated Lauren Snouffer as Bess McNeill, a role she has sung in major international productions to great acclaim. Performing as her husband, Jan, is Liam James Karai. Mezzo-soprano Joanne Evans sings Dodo McNeill. ENO regular Emma Bell sings Mrs McNeill with former Harewood Artist Elgan Llŷr Thomas singing Dr Richardson.