The Flying Dutchman, or Der fliegende Holländer in English, is a three-act Romantische Oper by German composer Richard Wagner, based on Henirch Heine’s novel fragment Aus den Memoiren des Herren von Schnalbelewopski, which appeared in volume 1 of Der Salon in 1834. Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde, Parsifal, and The Ring Cycle are among Wagner’s operas.
Wagner claims that a stormy sea voyage in 1839 influenced his choice of themes for The Flying Dutchman, during which he heard the story of the Wandering Jew, condemned to sail forever with only one day in port every seven years. The Flying Dutchman had its world premiere on January 2, 1843, at the Königliches Sächsisches Hoftheater in Dresden, with Wagner conducting.
The story of The Flying Dutchman begins with Daland’s Norwegian ship, which has just cast anchor in a storm. The crew falls asleep while the steersman is on watch, and the Flying Dutchman’s ship appears. The Dutchman describes being sentenced to a life of sailing until he finds redemption. Daland hails the strange ship, and the captain introduces himself as a Dutchman and offers Daland a large sum of money in exchange for a night’s stay. This makes Daland happy, as does the Dutchman’s interest in his daughter.
Act II opens with Daland’s daughter, Senta, idly examining a painting of the Flying Dutchman and singing the ballad that tells his story at home. The reason for the Flying Dutchman’s curse is revealed in this ballad: he is being punished for swearing a blasphemous oath. Senta declares abruptly that she will be the means by which the Flying Dutchman will be saved.
Senta’s declaration has alarmed Erik, a huntsman in love with her. He declares his love for her. She, on the other hand, is uninterested. She’s more intrigued by his story about a dream in which her father brought home the stranger from her wall painting. Senta returns to her study of the painting, and he leaves in despair. Her father joins the Dutchman at this point.
Senta is so engrossed in the appearance of the Flying Dutchman that she forgets to greet her father. Senta tells the Dutchman that she intends to be his redemption in a duet, and he warns her of the price if she fails to be consistent. The act ends happily when Daland returns and asks if the homecoming feast should also be a betrothal festivity.
The Norwegian sailors are celebrating aboard their ship at the start of Act III, while the Dutchman’s ship is silent, even when the Norwegians call out to the sailors, inviting them to join in the festivities. As a storm approaches, the crew begins a ghostly song after a long break.
Senta walks in, followed by Erik, who reminds him that she once pledged her fidelity to him and wonders why she is now pledging her allegiance to the Dutchman. Overhearing, the Dutchman releases her from her promise to save her from a fate similar to his. Senta throws herself into the sea as he boards his ship, declaring her allegiance. The ship and crew sink, and the scene shows the Dutchman and Senta, now transformed, embracing.