Breaking the Waves

Opera





We look forward to having you back in our spaces and reconvening our extraordinary community of artists and audiences. We especially appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time. For updates on BAM’s programming and operations in light of this evolving situation, This event has been canceled due to concerns around the spread of COVID-19. All ticket holders will receive a refund via the original method of payment; no further action is needed. If you haven’t received your refund yet, please consider donating your ticket to BAM and help the arts continue to thrive during these challenging times. Contact BAM Ticket Services at info@BAM.org We look forward to having you back in our spaces and reconvening our extraordinary community of artists and audiences. We especially appreciate your patience and understanding during this challenging time. For updates on BAM’s programming and operations in light of this evolving situation, visit our BAM Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates page

“The 21st Century’s Gatecrasher of New Classical Music”

—NPR

Composer Missy Mazzoli has arrived. Growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, she taught tap dance to children and eventually found herself taking lessons in composition from a percussionist with the Philly Pops. Three operas later and a Grammy under her belt, Mazzoli recently made history when she became one of the first of two women composers to be commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera.

This season, BAM presents Mazzoli’s “dark and daring” (The New York Times) reimagining of Lars von Trier’s Breaking the Waves, the tale of Bess McNeill, a woman besieged by tragedy and the contradictions of the disparate figures in her life. Set in the remote Scottish Highlands, Mazzoli’s textured original score is a nuanced, intensely personal, and ultimately feminist take on Bess’ moral plight. What does it mean to be good when your agency is taken away from you?