Current Expected Release Date: August 7, 2026

the album cover for Houston Grand Opera / Patrick Summers - Mazzoli: Breaking The Waves

[PRE-ORDER] Houston Grand Opera / Patrick Summers - Mazzoli: Breaking The Waves [CD]

Coming soon
Barcode: 1230000270076
Pre-order $27.99
Description

Marking the tenth anniversary of it's 2016 premiere, Houston Grand Opera unveils the first commercial recording of Breaking the Waves, Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek's landmark opera. Long acclaimed as one of the most important American operas of the past decade, this release brings the work's searing emotional world to a global audience, making it accessible beyond the stage for the first time. 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. Led by conductor Patrick Summers, the new recording features some of today's most compelling operatic voices, including Lauren Snouffer as Bess McNeill and Ryan McKinny as Jan Nyman. Hailed by The New Yorker as a "once-in-a-generation magician of the orchestra", Mazzoli brings a distinctive musical voice that has established Breaking the Waves as a modern classic.

Tracklist:

  1. Prologue, His Name is Jan
  2. Prologue, We Do Not Favor Matrimony With Outsiders
  3. Scene 1, Wedding
  4. Scene 2, Ring the Bells
  5. Scene 2, Golden Heart
  6. Scene 2, We Two People are Joined in God
  7. Scene 3, The Gift of Jan
  8. Scene 3, Your Body is a Map
  9. Scene 4, I Wish that the Church Had Bells
  10. Scene 4, We Endure
  11. Scene 4, I Thank You for Your Love
  12. Scene 5, Prayer of a Selfish Girl
  13. Interlude, Drill Deep, Men
  14. Scene 6, Phone Booth
  15. Scene 6, Prayer for Jan to Come Home
  16. Scene 7, Accident
  17. Scene 7, What is it Now, Bess?
  18. Scene 1, Your Husband Has Suffered Serious Injuries
  19. Scene 1, Goodness, What Powers You Possess
  20. Scene 2, Love of My Life
  21. Interlude, Wives, Submit Yourselves unto Your Own Husbands
  22. Scene 3, Jan, What Have You Done?
  23. Scene 3, Love Will Keep Me Alive
  24. Scene 3, I'm Tired of Waiting
  25. Scene 4, I Brought Supplies
  26. Scene 4, I am Lying on My Back
  27. Scene 5, DrRichardson, I've Come to Dance
  28. Scene 5, We Breathe, We Drip, We Bleed
  29. Scene 1, My Body is a Map
  30. Scene 1, Feeble Girl
  31. Scene 1, I Saved Jan When His Heart Stopped
  32. Scene 1, There's Fluid in Jan's Head
  33. Scene 2, Red Boat
  34. Scene 3, Be Gone from the House of God
  35. Scene 3, Who's a Tart?
  36. Scene 3, Let This Be Over Now
  37. Scene 3, Prayer to a Sleeping God
  38. Scene 4, Complete the Task
  39. Scene 4, My Poor Darling
  40. Scene 5, Doctor's Report
  41. Scene 5, You Deserve Your Place in Hell
  42. Epilogue, I've Stolen You Back

UPC: 1230000270076
Label: Houston Grand Opera
Release Date: 8.7.26
Format: CD