The Exterminating Angel

Thomas Ades brings his acclaimed opera to ROH

Luis Bunuel's iconic film masterpiece provides the basis for this haunting opera, which first premiered at the Salzberg Festival in 2016. Homegrown composer Thomas Ades' pioneering opera follows his previously acclaimed works Powder Her Face (1995) and The Tempest (2004) and underlines the macabre comedy of the story with deeper symbolism of human nature gone wild. Directed by Tom Cairns, a world-class ensemble cast (to be announced) will sing the roles of the tortured souls trapped in that dining room.

A bourgeious group of friends have enjoyed a night at the opera, and have been invited to a late supper by their hosts. The wine flows, the food is sumptuous; all in the making of a perfect evening. However things take a disturbing turn at the end of the meal as they attempt to leave the room; physically there is nothing stopping them - the problem appears to be psychological. As hours turn into days, the previously civilised diners descend into anarchy and terror; one of them dies but they are unable to remove the body. Two others agree to a suicide pact; there is a brief respite when their repeated actions allow them to return to normal. However, this short-lived joy is cut short and they remain trapped.