Opera-The Flying Dutchman

Also known as “Der fliegende Hollander”, this opera is by Wagner.  Okay, another Wagner opera, but I found this one fascinating because of the staging and story. 

The Flying Dutchman is about a cursed sailor who is looking for a faithful woman who can break that curse.  Every seven years he is able to go on land to search for this “hard to find” woman.  Puhleeze, Wagner must have had some bitter relationships to come up with this one.

He meets a captain who has a daughter Senta, who is

mesmerized by this legend.  She wants to be the faithful woman who can break the curse, but is thwarted by a suitor who makes the Dutchman think Senta is unfaithful.  In the end, she follows the Dutchman into the mist, not caring what her fate would be.

The set is austere and stark, supposedly below the decks of a ship, yet gives the illusion of being in a fortress. 

As Max says, it wasn’t Rigoletto.  There are huge fans of Wagner, but we find his operas too heavy, strident and demanding.  Does that make sense?