Director Krystian Lada, known for his impressive and innovative musical theater productions, is staging a production at the Mainz State Theater for the first time. Conductor Dirk Kaftan is also making his Mainz debut with the Philharmonic State Orchestra.
In a strict Calvinist community in northern Scotland, young Bess falls in love with Jan, a Norwegian who works on a nearby oil rig. Shortly after their wedding, Jan narrowly survives a serious accident that leaves him paraplegic. As a substitute for their now impossible physical relationship, Jan encourages his wife to sleep with other men and tell him about it. Strengthened by her love and faith, Bess acts against the moral values of her community and sacrifices herself for Jan, who gets better and better the more she crosses her own boundaries...
Lars von Trier's successful film of the same name forms the basis for Missy Mazzoli's highly acclaimed and award-winning musical theater piece. With orchestral sounds reminiscent of film music, Gaelic psalms, and intimate dialogues between instruments and singing voices, the American composer paints a nuanced portrait of complex characters. With Bess, a childlike, naive character marked by deep faith and shocking bravery, she brings "a new kind of heroine" to the opera stage.
Premiere April 26,
Further performances: April 30, May 16 and 31, June 6, 16, and 21, 2026
