From New York to Hawaii – Hawaii Opera Theatre presents Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman

Honolulu, Hawaii – Hawaii Opera Theatre’s (HOT) 2014-15 Opera Season continues when Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman makes port this February.  The Flying Dutchman has captivated audiences for over a century and has been the inspiration in countless popular culture references including the cartoon, SpongeBob SquarePants, the best-selling Twilight Series, and the film franchise, The Pirates of the Caribbean. 

The Flying Dutchman tells the tale of a legendary ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman, captained by a man simply known as the Dutchman, who is cursed to wander the sea.  His only chance at redemption comes once every seven years.  If the Dutchman can find a wife that will be true to him, then he shall be set free of his curse.  With his chance at redemption once again upon him, the Dutchman finds himself betrothed to a woman named Senta, whom appears to love him deeply.  Soon the Dutchman learns that Senta has another lover, a hunter by the name of Erik, and with the curse tearing at his soul, prepares to go back to sea.  Will Senta prove her love for the Dutchman and set him free, or will he and his ship be cursed to wander the seas for eternity?

A star-studded cast reprise their roles from the original production’s original outing at The Glimmerglass Festival in 2013, including Bass-Baritone Ryan McKinny (The Dutchman), Soprano Melody Moore (Senta), and Hawaii’s second son, Tenor Jay Hunter Morris (Erik), who was last seen here during the 2013-14 Opera Season’s production of Turandot.  Rounding out the principal cast are singers Bass-Baritone Paul Whelan (Daland), Hawaii resident and University School of Music Professor, Mezzo-Soprano Maya Hoover (Mary), with Tenor Nathan Munson (Steersman), who received acclaim for his performance in last season’s double-billing of Pagliacci & Carmina Burana.

“The Glimmerglass Festival in New York is known for producing phenomenal opera and artistically beautiful productions.  After seeing The Flying Dutchman there in 2013 for myself, I started to work on making its trip here to Honolulu a reality. “ shares HOT Artistic Director Henry Akina.

Maestro John Keenan leads the Artistic Team of The Flying Dutchman.  Mr. Keenan conducted the original production at its debut alongside Glimmerglass Artistic Director, Francesca Zambello.  Joining Mr. Keenan as Director for HOT’s production is another member of the original team, Sara Widzer. An alumnus of the Glimmerglass Young Artists Program, Ms. Widzer was the Assistant Director during the production’s first run.

The Flying Dutchman will be performed at the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall on February 13, 15, & 17, 2015.   Single Tickets to The Flying Dutchman and Spring Three Pack Subscriptions can be purchased by contacting the HOT Box Office at (808) 596-7858, online at www.HawaiiOpera.org or via www.TicketMaster.com.  

Enhance your operatic experience by attending a number of special HOT events.

HOT Preview

January 27, 2015 / 6:30pm – 7:30pm / HOT Opera Residency at 445 Cooke Street 

HOT will be holding its next free HOT Preview, where you can get a Behind-the-Scenes tour of HOT’s new rehearsal hall home and Opera Residency, on January 27, 2014, in Our Kaka’ako at 445 Cooke Street.

Experience first-hand accounts of the story of The Flying Dutchman as told by The Dutchman, Senta, & the rest of the cast, portrayed by Members of HOT’s Orvis Opera Studio.  Visit them all and be entered to win a two-night stay at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel.

“The HOT Preview is a deconstructed Opera experience. We find that once we get people through the door, the majority of them fall in love with HOT but sometimes getting people through the door can be a challenge.  The Preview allows us to provide the local community with an opportunity to sample all the sensations that opera touches through art, music, performance, & more.” HOT Marketing Director Jason Walter shares.

Free drinks will be served accompanied by live music from DJ Mr. Nick, with his signature blend of tunes mixed with opera.  Street Parking is available.

RSVP online by 1/26/15 at HOTPREVIEW.eventbrite.com.

Introducing HOT Out

February 13, 2015 / 6:30pm – 11:00pm / The Honolulu Club & Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall

From the drama to the history to the music, our passion for the stage and all of its incarnations knows no bounds. It’s with this mindset—that of unyielding, unquestioning love—that we are pleased to announce HOT OUT: an LGBT event.

HOT will host this special night for Hawaii’s LGBT community from 6:30pm – 7:30pm at the Honolulu Club, prior to the Opening Night of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman on February 13, 2015, at 8:00pm.

“Guests of HOT Out can expect a spectacular night at the opera, with a pre-show mixer at the Honolulu Club and then top-price seats to The Flying Dutchman,” said HOT Executive Director Simon Crookall. “Those who attend this special night will also be invited to join our VIP intermission reception and enjoy an opportunity to share their views on Wagner, the Dutchman, and the joys of living in Hawaii!”

Exclusive Mixer, Top-priced tickets (valued at $135), & VIP Reception, all for $100.

Tickets online at HOTOUT.eventbrite.com.

HOT Tuesday

February 17, 2015 / 5:30pm – 10:00pm / The Honolulu Club & Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall 

HOT Tuesday returns!  Started during the 2013-2014 Opera Season, HOT Tuesday has quickly grown into a fabulous pau-hana & performance experience, gaining new patrons with each event.

Start the evening at The Honolulu Club for a party, which includes drinks, food, live music, and free parking, followed by a night at the opera during the final performance of The Flying Dutchman in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall at 8:00pm!

All this, just $40!

Tickets online at HOTTUESDAY.eventbrite.com.

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About Hawaii Opera Theatre

Since 1961, Hawaii Opera Theatre (HOT), formerly a division of the Honolulu Symphony Society and incorporated in 1980, has served to enhance the quality of life in Hawaii by presenting opera performances of the highest standards, while maintaining fiscal responsibility. Through four productions annually in the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall and other venues, HOT offers opera to nearly 22,000 residents and visitors each season thereby increasing the public’s awareness and exposure to opera as a multi-media art form.

HOT’s educational programs for youth serve as both catalyst and active participant in the artistic education of Hawaii’s youth. Opera for Everyone provides a special performance of each opera for a large and enthusiastic audience of students. Opera Express takes operas specially adapted operas, into elementary and middle schools with special tours to all neighbor islands. HOT’s Opera Residency program takes our education and production staff members into an elementary school to work with students and teachers to compose an opera production centered around curriculum components. Adult education is offered with Opera Highlights, a non-credit course at the University of Hawaiʻi; Opera Previews, at the Honolulu Academy of Arts; pre-performance Lanai Lectures on the Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall lanai; and other presentations at stores or shopping centers.

Led by Artistic Director Henry Akina and Executive Director Simon Crookall, HOT employs the HOT Orchestra. Auditions are held, generally in NY, to cast principal roles from mainland, European, Asian and local singers. The Opera Chorus is a local volunteer organization.