A modern opera adaptation by Charles Wuorinen, based on Annie Proulx’s short story, previously adaptated by Ang Lee for the Oscar-winning film 'Brokeback Mountain', marks Wuorinen’s return to the opera stage with one of the major works of his career, equally ambitious in its beauty and momentous tragedy.

'Brokeback Mountain' is the story of ranch hand Ennis del Mar and rodeo cowboy Jack Twist, two young men who meet and fall in love on the fictional Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming in 1963.

Wuorinen says “It’s a story of doomed love, in this case a complex homosexual relationship taking place in a very homophobic society.” In a decidedly different approach from the film adaptation, Wuorinen creates a grittier atmosphere. The story and characters have been tightly condensed by Proulx. In reference to the genesis of the story Proulx has said: “‘Brokeback’ was constructed on the small but tight idea of a couple of home-grown country kids, opinions and self-knowledge shaped by the world around them, finding themselves in emotional waters of increasing depth. I wanted to develop the story through a kind of literary sostenente.”

Cast:
- Ennis del Mar: Daniel Okulitch
- Jack Twist: Tom Randle
- Alma: Heather Buck
- Lureen: Hannah Esther Minutillo
- Aguirre/Hog-Boy: Ethan Herschenfeld
- Alma´s Mother: Celia Alcedo
- Jack´s Mother: Jane Henschel
- Bartender: Hilary Summers
- Cowboy: Gaizka Gurruchaga
- Bill Jones: Vasco Fracanzani

Stage director: Ivo Van Hove

“The opera by Wuorinen and Proulx is admirable...Canadian bass-baritone Daniel Okulich offered a well-judged, multilayered portrait of Ennis, troubled, hardworking and conservative; Okulitch used his beautiful, mellow voice with genuine feeling, especially in the impressive final monologue.” - Opera News

“Charles Wuorinen’s opera gets closer to the hearts of the characters than Ang Lee’s film” - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Running time 150 min: Opera 130 min, bonus 20 min
Bonus: interview with the artists
Booklet + Subtitles: French / English / Spanish
1081i HD, colour, 16/9, NTSC
Sound PCM Stereo, DTS HD Master Audio 5.1
HD recording: Teatro Real - Madrid, 02/2014