The ancient crew of the ghost ship The Flying Dutchman is doomed to sail the oceans for all eternity. Once every seven years, the captain of the vessel is permitted to go ashore in search of the love of a good woman. A love that will release him from his curse.
On land, the young Senta has fallen in love with a picture of the Dutch captain. Despite her almost symbiotic relationship with Erik, a young man her own age, she dreams of being the woman who saves the doomed Dutchman. For his part, the Dutchman yearns for a love that can finally release him from eternal life.
The epic music depicts the rolling waves and stormy seas, the spirited sea-shanties of the sailors, the anguished Dutchman and love’s salvation. The impossible love between Senta and the Dutchman shines brightly, but it is a happiness that can only end in bitter-sweet calamity.
The leading female role of Senta will be performed by a Swedish rising star in the Wagner firmament: Åsa Jäger. Bass-baritone Craig Colclough, having gone from strength to strength in the Italian canon and who recently made his bow at the Metropolitan Opera, as well as Norwegian tenor Kjetil Støa will perform their first major Wagner roles, as the Dutchman and Erik respectively.
South African director Alessandro Talevi is in international demand for his creative interpretations. This production is set in modern times, as climate change and rising sea levels reawaken awareness of the ocean’s dangers. The Flying Dutchman is transported through centuries of colonization and exploitation to a modern, industrial seascape. The production will be graced by internationally renowned conductor Alevtina Ioffe, who made an acclaimed Swedish debut with us last season. Some performances will be conducted by the Göteborg Opera’s Aivis Greters.
