Overview
Synopsis
The Flying Dutchman has been doomed to an eternity of wandering the seas. Once every seven years, he is able to leave the ship to search for a woman whose perfect love will redeem him. This time, when his seven years are up, he lands just outside a Norwegian village. He meets a man named Daland and, after giving him gold and jewels in exchange for a night’s lodging, he learns that Daland has a daughter. Could she be the perfect love that will relieve him of his plight? The Dutchman’s search has begun again; will this finally be the end of his misery? Wagner’s luscious orchestration and intense vocal music have been a favorite of opera goers for ages, and are the reason Der Fliegende Holländer is one of the most frequently performed operas every year.
Show Information
- Music
- Richard Wagner
- Lyrics
- Richard Wagner
- Based On Book By
- Heinrich Heine
- Libretto
- Richard Wagner
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- The Memoirs of Mister von Schnabelewopski by Heinrich Heine
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1843
- Genres
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary
- Time & Place
- 18th century, a norwegian fishing village
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- None
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Late Teen, Young Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
The Flying Dutchman is considered the first of Richard Wagner’s operas in which his essential musical style emerges. It is the first time that Wagner uses the Leitmotiv technique; something that became one of the defining characteristics of his compositions, and a technique that he would greatly develop throughout the rest of his career. The folk legend of The Flying Dutchman has been a favorite story of writers and composers for centuries. Wagner adapted his opera from the work _The
to read the context for Der fliegende Holländer and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act 1 A rocky cove on the Norwegian Coast
A violent storm has driven Daland and his crew several miles beyond his home on the Norwegian coast. As the storm dies down, the crew finds a safe place to anchor and Daland tells them that they have earned a good rest. Daland leaves the young steersman in charge of the ship’s watch. The steersman begins to sing a ballad about his sweetheart and falls asleep (“Mit Gewitter und Sturm aus fernem Meer”). While he is sleeping, the sky begins to
to read the plot for Der fliegende Holländer and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
- Overture
- Act 1
- Introduktion: Hojohe! Hallojo! (Chorus)
- Lied des Steuermanns: Mit Gewitter und Sturm aus fernem Meer (Steersman)
- Arie: Die Frist ist um (Dutchman)
- Szene, Duett und Chor: He! Hollah! Steuermann (Daland, Steersman, Dutchman, Chorus)
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Duett: Weit komm ich her; verwehrt bei Sturm und Wetter (Daland, Dutchman)
-
Act 2
- Introduktion
- Szene, Lied Ballade (Chorus, Mary, Senta)
- Chor: Summ und brumm, du gutes Rädchen (Chorus, Mary, Senta))
- Ballade: Johohoe! Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta)
- Duett: Bleib Senta! Bleib nur einen Augenblick (Erik, Senta)
- Finale: Mein Kind, du siehst mich auf der Schwelle (Daland)
- Arie: Mögst du, mein Kind, den fremden Mann (Daland)
- Duett: Wie aus der Ferne längst vergangner Zeiten (Dutchman, Senta)
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Terzett: Verzeiht! Mein Volk hält draußen (Daland, Hollander, Senta)
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Act 3
- Introduktion
- Szene und Chor: Steuermann, laß die Wacht! Steuermann, her zu uns! (Steersman, Chorus)
- Finale. Duett: Was mußt ich hören! (Erik, Senta)
- Kavatine: Willst jenes Tags du nicht dich mehr entsinnen (Erik)
- Finale: Verloren! Ach verloren! Ewig verlornes Heil! (Dutchman, Senta, Mary, Daland, Steersman, Erik, Chorus)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.
The script of the musical, separate from the musical orchestrations.
The notation of music for the musical. There are several types of scores (detailed in the guide).
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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