Opera by Missy Mazzoli
Libretto by Royce Vavrek based on the film of the same name by Lars von Trier
“Zukunft Oper”
In English
Karlsruhe premiere
Premiere
January 18, 2026, Small House
Strictly watched and controlled, the free-spirited Bess lives in a deeply religious community on the Scottish coast. When she marries Jan, a foreigner from the area, an oil rig worker and the opposite of a devout Calvinist, she experiences happiness for the first time in her life. A happiness that ends abruptly when Jan becomes irreversibly paralyzed from the waist down in an accident at work. In order to stay close to her, indeed to be able to continue living, Bess is forced to sleep with other men and then tell him about it. Bess, who shortly before Jan’s accident begged God to bring her husband home earlier than planned, feels guilty about it and decides to grant Jan’s wish – with terrible consequences.
The award-winning film of the same name by Lars von Trier was released in 1996. Exactly twenty years later, it was discovered for the operatic stage and premiered in Philadelphia. The highly renowned American composer Missy Mazzoli wrote the impressive music, which gives space to the strong characters as well as to a critical view of a bigoted society.
Dates
This production will be performed for the last time this season on March 6, 2026.
Sunday, January 18 , 7:30 PM
Friday, January 23rd , 7:30 PM
Thursday, January 29 , 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 31st , 7:00 PM
Wednesday, February 11 , 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 6 , 7:00 PM
(see link for separate tickets to each performance)