This is where Wagner found his main themes: necrophilism, willingness to make sacrifices, the death of love and redemption. The Dutchman, captain of the ship of death, must find a woman who loves him enough to follow him into death. For a long time, Senta has felt an attraction to the mystical aura from a print of the Flying Dutchman, which hangs in the spinning room of her parental home. When the true Dutchman enters the room, she recognizes him immediately. She deserts her betrothed and sacrifices her life for the Dutchman. The absoluteness of her love frees the Dutchman from his never-ending voyage.
Romantic opera in three acts by Richard Wagner
Running time 2 hours 50 minutes
Premiere 19 Dec 1998
