A groundbreaking opera is finally getting a recording, and Houston Grand Opera is behind it. Breaking the Waves, by composer Missy Massoli and librettist Royce Vavrek, originally premiered in 2016. The opera’s regional premiere at HGO during the 2024 - 2025 season was captured for the album release. It will be available starting August 7 in both physical and digital formats, with streaming offered on major platforms including Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify.
This album is the third release from the Houston Grand Opera label, created in partnership with the London Symphony Orchestra’s LSO Live. The label’s first album — for company-commissioned world-premiere opera Intelligence — won the 2026 GRAMMY Award for Best Opera Recording.
It features a star-studded cast led by soprano Lauren Snouffer and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, accompanied by the HGO Orchestra and Chorus under the baton of HGO Music Director Emeritus Patrick Summers.
Breaking the Waves is set in Calvinist 1970s Scotland, and tells the story of the impressionable young Bess (Snouffer) and offshore oil rigger Jan (McKinny). After they marry, Bess embarks on a journey of sexual exploration that, following a series of shocking events, ends in tragedy. Based on the art film of the same name by Lars von Trier, it won the inaugural Best New Opera Award from the Music Critics Association of North America and was shortlisted for Best World Premiere at the International Opera Awards.
“Breaking the Waves is a fearless, devastating, and utterly singular landmark of contemporary American opera from one of the most compelling compositional voices of this generation,” HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor said in a statement. “Alongside Missy Mazzoli and Royce Vavrek, our company’s incredible cast, orchestra, and chorus have brought their own fearlessness to this piece, rising to meet its challenges with passionate artistry. This album brilliantly captures the electricity of these sublime live performances, preserving their energy in every measure. HGO launched this label to bring bold American works to the world, and there is no better testament to that mission than what you will hear here.”
In addition to Snouffer and McKinny, the cast features soprano Michelle Bradley as Mother, mezzo-soprano Maire Therese Carmack as Dodo McNeill, tenor David Portillo as Dr. Richardson, baritone Michael Mayes as Councilman, bass-baritone Sam Dhobhany as Terry, bass Johnny Salvesen as Sadistic Sailor, tenor Andrew Surrena as Young Sailor, and Jon Janacek as Tenor Solo.
“Breaking the Waves is one of the most important operas of the 21st century, a work of incredible beauty, dramatic power, and profound lessons,” said Summers. “I am deeply honored to conduct its first recording.”
The recording was made possible by Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc., Juan Moreno, Kristine Vikmanis and Denny Creighton, Alexander Sanger, and David Gindler.
“I’m so grateful that Houston Grand Opera has captured this extraordinary cast and creative team in this recording of Breaking the Waves. Opera is an art form that not only takes a village, but a small city, and this performance is filled with artists who gave themselves completely to this emotional, dramatic whirlwind,” said Mazzoli.
