The Exterminating Angel (opera)

"The Exterminating Angel" is an opera by Thomas Adès based on the 1962 film by Luis Buñuel. It depicts a group of wealthy, aristocratic guests at a dinner party, who unexpectedly find themselves unable to leave or communicate effectively. As the situation deteriorates, social norms break down, revealing underlying subconscious tensions and class divisions. The opera explores themes of societal facades, human vulnerability, and the thin veneer of civilization, blending surrealism with sharp psychological insight. Through haunting music and surreal storytelling, it examines how civility can unravel when external constraints disappear.