ACT I

A raging storm has forced a Norwegian captain, Daland, to seek shelter for his ship and crew in a cove, which he realizes is only seven miles from his home port. While the captain and crew go below to await better weather, the lone helmsman sings to keep up his spirits, but he is soon overcome by sleep. An eerie black-masted ship comes into view and anchors in the cove, and a ghostly crew furls blood-red sails. The captain comes ashore and sings of his cruel fate. He is the Flying Dutchman, condemned together with his crew to sail for all eternity until the curse upon him is lifted. Once every seven years, he may land somewhere to search for a woman who will love him faithfully, even unto death. Every search has ended in betrayal, and now the Dutchman yearns only for an end to his voyage.

Daland comes on deck and, noticing the foreboding vessel, hails its captain. The Dutchman offers him a chest of jewels and treasure in exchange for shelter and hospitality. When Daland tells him of his true and faithful daughter Senta, the Dutchman declares he would give everything he possesses for her hand. Daland can scarcely believe that he may at last have found a wealthy husband for his daughter, while the Dutchman dares once again to hope that he has found the woman who will release him from his curse. The weather abates. As Daland and his crew set sail for home, the Dutchman promises to follow them.

ACT II

In Daland’s house a group of young women are at work under the supervision of Senta’s nurse, Mary. All but Senta sing of awaiting the return of their men from the sea. Senta is lost in dreamy contemplation of the portrait of a pale, ghostly figure, the Flying Dutchman. The girls teasingly warn her that Erik, a hunter who is in love with Senta, will be jealous. Senta asks Mary to sing the ballad of the doomed man. When Mary refuses, Senta herself recounts the tale of the captain who, while attempting to round the Cape of Good Hope in a fearful storm, swore he would not turn back for all eternity. Satan heard the blasphemous oath and condemned the Dutchman to sail the seas until he could find a woman who would love him faithfully unto death. Overcome with empathy, Senta declares her passionate desire to be that redeemer. Mary and the girls are horrified, as is Erik, who enters with the news of Daland’s return.

Alone with Senta, Erik reproaches her for her obsession with the legend of the Dutchman. He knows that Daland will not settle for a poor son-in-law, but he begs Senta to support his suit. When she avoids his advances, he tells her of a dream he had in which Senta and the phantom sailor disappear together over the sea. Believing this to be an omen, Senta ecstatically vows that she will sacrifice herself to save the Dutchman. Erik leaves in despair.

When Daland arrives with his guest, he and Senta gaze at each other, oblivious to Daland’s introduction. When they are left alone, the Dutchman sings that he believes Senta to be the woman he has long dreamed of. Senta responds to the stranger’s tales of hardship with compassion and tells him that she will follow her father’s wishes and marry him. When Daland returns to see what she has decided, she pledges that she will be a faithful wife to the mysterious stranger.

ACT III

The sailors on Daland’s ship are celebrating their homecoming. The Dutchman’s ship is moored nearby, dark and quiet. Young women arrive and, as the celebration continues, the Norwegians repeatedly call to the Dutch sailors to join them. The only answer is an eerie silence. The Norwegians jest that this must be the Flying Dutchman’s ship. The women become fearful and depart. Suddenly the ghostly voices of the Dutch sailors are heard, drowning out the Norwegians’ song and breaking into mocking laughter when the Norwegian sailors flee.

Senta appears, pursued by Erik. He demands to know how she can break his heart by marrying the man he has recognized as the subject of the portrait. He reminds her that she had once sworn to be faithful only to him. The Dutchman, overhearing this, believes that he has been betrayed once again. Senta tries to convince him of her faithfulness in vain. Although any woman who breaks her pledge to him is eternally damned, Senta has not yet pledged her faith to him before God. The Dutchman prepares to leave, and reveals that he is indeed the Flying Dutchman. Senta chooses to follow her new husband to their fate.

For more than 150 years, Richard Wagner’s famed opera, The Flying Dutchman, has been captivating audiences across the world.  Set along the Norwegian coast, legends tell of a ghost ship, The Flying Dutchman, captained by a man simple known as the Dutchman, who is cursed to wander the sea.  His only chance at redemption comes every seven years.  If the Dutchman can find a wife that will be true to him, he’ll be set free of his curse. With his chance at redemption once again upon him, through a dowry of gold made to another sailor, the Dutchman finds himself betrothed to a woman named Senta, whom appears to love him deeply.  But soon, the Dutchman learns that Senta has another lover.  Solemn, with his curse eating at his soul, the Dutchman readies himself 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 production of Glimmerglass Festival, New York

Performance Schedule

  • February 13, Friday, 8:00pm
  • February 15, Sunday, 4:00pm
  • February 17, Tuesday, 7:00pm

All performances at the Blaisdell Concert Hall

Sung in German with English translations projected above the stage.

Approximately 2 hours & 45 minutes with an intermission

Video

Photos

Tickets

Pricing

    Orchestra Level
  • A - $135
  • OR/OL - $90
  • B - $90
  • C - $63
  • D - $34
  • Seating Chart

    Balcony Level
  • A - $135
  • B - $90
  • C - $63
  • D - N/A

Get Tickets

  • Call the Box Office:
    (808) 596-7858 or 1-800-836-7372
  • Call the Main Office: (808) 596-7372
  • Or Buy Tickets Here:
  • Buy Tickets Online

Pre-Show Features

  • Show Day
    at the Ward Lanai, Blaisdell Concert Hall
    1st lecture: 30 minutes before curtain
    2nd lecture: 60 minutes before curtain

Meet the Stars

Ryan-47

Ryan McKinny

Ryan McKinny’s dusky, vibrant bass-baritone captured each of the diverse phases of Kurwenal’s trajectory as Tristan’s comrade-in-arms, from swaggering to conflicted and finally to grieving.

Opera News

Melody Moore

Melody Moore

. . . the soprano Melody Moore came into her own as a passionate, full-voiced Marta, for whom memory becomes an ecstatic, affirming vehicle for survival.

Wall Street Journal

jayhuntermorris

Jay Hunter Morris

Morris brandished a bright, lyric voice that pierced Wagner’s massive orchestrations. Tall, blond and broad-shouldered, the tenor – who started on Broadway in 1995’s “Master Class” – even looked the part of a Teutonic dragon slayer

The New York Post