Wagner: Flying Dutchmen (2 CD/CD-ROM)

Synopsis

Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), Wagner's fourth opera, presaged his later masterpieces with its mythical subject, its message of a woman's redemptive power, and its recurring musical themes. The prelude, both storm-tossed and lyrical, announces the tale of the Dutchman, condemned to roam eternally in his ghostly ship until he finds a woman to love him. As he explains in his imposing monologue `Die Frist ist um' he can only go ashore every seven years. He encounters the materialistic sea-captain Daland, who, impressed by the mysterious man's wealth, takes him to meet his daughter, Senta. It so happens that her imagination has been fired by a portrait of the Dutchman and by his search for love, as she sings in her ballad: "Johohoe! ... Traft ihr das Schiff in Meere an". As soon as they meet, the Dutchman and Senta declare their bond in their duet `Wie aus der Ferne'. However, when the Dutchman overhears Erik, Senta's betrothed, remonstrating with her, he is thrown into doubt and despair and announces to all present that he is the Flying Dutchman. He leaves in his ship, but Senta, swearing to be true to him forever, throws herself into the sea.