A monumental ghost story about the search for redemption
The Flying Dutchman
Richard Wagner
Last Chance
The Dutchman has been cursed and is doomed to roam the sea for eternity. He’s cast upon the shore every seven years, and if he can win the love of a woman who will be faithful unto death, he’ll escape his curse. But his hope is fading, and he wishes for his own death. That’s when he encounters Daland and his crew, and after Daland sees the Dutchman’s treasures, he offers him his daughter Senta to be his wife.
Herbert Fritsch’s second production at the Komische Oper Berlin after Mozart’s Don Giovanni brings Wagner’s monumental and mysterious Flying Dutchman back to childhood reverie, ‘and superbly demonstrates that in spite of having amused yourself so splendidly—or precisely because of it—you can still take the opera seriously’ [SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG].
The Norwegian seaman Daland and his crew find themselves in a storm. Thrown off course shortly before they make it home, they seek refuge in a cove. The steersman, assigned to the night watch by Daland, is overcome by exhaustion and falls asleep along with the remainder of the crew.
The Flying Dutchman’s ship approaches. There’s a curse upon its captain: he is doomed to roam the seas for all eternity. Once every seven years, however, he is allowed to come ashore to seek a woman who will swear to be true to him forever and thus release him from the curse. Daland and his crew wake up. Deeply impressed by the Dutchman’s abundant treasure, Daland promises him his daughter Senta.
At the Norwegians’ harbour the women await the sailors. They tease Senta for her infatuation with the legendary figure of the Flying Dutchman. She dreams of redeeming the dark mariner from his curse. Erik, Senta’s lover, enters and announces the arrival of the ships. He tries to get an assurance of love from her and warns her against living in a fantasy. Daland enters accompanied by the Dutchman. Senta falls for him instantly and swears to be true to him until death.
The sailors celebrate their homecoming. Erik again reminds Senta that they once pledged their love for one another. The Dutchman overhears their conversation and loses all hope of salvation. He says he will release Senta from her vow, and leaves with his crew. Senta however reaffirms her constancy, which breaks the Flying Dutchman’s curse.
Romantic opera in three acts [1843]
Libretto by the composer
Libretto by the composer
In the repertoire since 27 November 2022
Recommended from grade 9
German
2hr 20min, no intermission
Musikalische Leitung
Inszenierung und Bühnenbild
Kostüme
Gemälde
Charlie Casanova
Dramaturgie
Julia Stoppelhaar
Chor
Licht
Daland
Senta
Erik
Mary
Steuermann
Holländer
Chor
Chorsolisten der Komischen Oper Berlin/Vocalconsort Berlin
Komparserie
Komparserie
Sponsored by
Special Thanks to
Dr. Marshall E. Kavesh und Martin Laiblin
Dr. Marshall E. Kavesh und Martin Laiblin
Further Productions