The Flying Dutchman

September 23. 2023 - October 07. 2023

September 23. 2023 - October 07. 2023

New-to-Chicago production The Flying Dutchman

Richard Wagner

The first opera that revealed Wagner’s genius, The Flying Dutchman is the story of a young woman’s obsession. Senta dreams of the Dutchman, who’s cursed to wander the earth. He comes ashore every seven years, searching for a woman who will be faithful to him until death. When she meets him, Senta’s fate is sealed. This new-to-Chicago production at Lyric Opera of Chicago will bring to life some of the composer’s most magnificent and emotional music, including thrilling, spectacular choruses. Leading an outstanding cast are Tomasz Konieczny (previously the title role in Lyric’s spellbinding Wozzeck) and Tamara Wilson (the radiant heroine of Il trovatore and Ernani), in Christopher Alden’s electrifying production, with Music Director Enrique Mazzola conducting his first Wagner at Lyric.

  • Language: Sung in German with projected English titles
  • Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes; performed without intermission
  • Location: Lyric Opera House

Lyric’s production of The Flying Dutchman is generously made possible by an Anonymous Donor, Josef & Margot Lakonishok, and Bulley & Andrews.

Maestro Enrique Mazzola is generously sponsored by Alice & John Butler, H. Gael Neeson, Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel, and the Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation as members of the Enrique Circle.

Videos

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Sailors' Chorus ("Steurmann! Lass die Wacht!") from Wagner's THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

In this rousing chorus, Daland's crew raise a toast to fair seas as they welcome aboard their lady loves. Moored near the Dutchman's ship, the sailors' festivities come to an end when their ghostly neighbors mock their merry-making.

The leitmotifs of Wagner's THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

The Flying Dutchman is often considered Wagner's first masterpiece. It is also the first time the composer began experimenting with leitmotifs — reoccurring musical themes — to represent characters, locations, or ideas. While he didn't invent the concept, he popularized it and motifs would become a cornerstone of his future work.

In this video, Music Director Enrique Mazzola discusses three major themes from the opera played by members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra: the wave motif (Andrew Anderson, Acting Assistant Principal Bass), Senta's motif (Judith Zunamon Lewis, Acting Assistant Principal Oboe and French Horn), and the Dutchman's motif (Jeremy Moeller, Principal Trombone).

Tamara Wilson performs Senta's Ballad ("Johohoe") from THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

In this emotional Act Two aria, Senta (soprano Tamara Wilson) recounts the legend of a pale man, doomed to sail the seas, only able to come ashore every seven years in search of his true love.

Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Wagner's THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

This new-to-Chicago production at Lyric Opera of Chicago will bring to life some of the composer’s most magnificent and emotional music, including thrilling, spectacular choruses. Leading an outstanding cast are Tomasz Konieczny (previously the title role in Lyric’s spellbinding Wozzeck) and Tamara Wilson (the radiant heroine of Il trovatore and Ernani), in Christopher Alden’s electrifying production, with Music Director Enrique Mazzola conducting his first Wagner at Lyric.

Lighting of The Flying Dutchman

Wagner's ghostly masterpiece, The Flying Dutchman, tells the legendary tale of a cursed sailor, wandering the seas in search of his true love. In this interview, lighting designer Anne Militello discusses the challenges, triumphs, and creative vision of director Christopher Alden's gripping new-to-Chicago production, featuring a set designed by Allen Moyer.

Audience programs

Lewis Achenbach

Twisting the Wheel: A visual art display

Twisting the Wheel: A visual art display

Lyric is excited to partner with renowned, Chicago-based visual artist Lewis Achenbach, known for his artistic practice of capturing music through visual art. Achenbach created live sketches in real-time during the rehearsal process of The Flying Dutchman at Lyric. This series will then be on display in the first floor lobby of the Lyric Opera House throughout the run of the opera, and will give a vibrant, new perspective on the music, the artists, and the opera.

Pre-opera talk

Speaker: Elinor Olin

Join us in the Ardis Krainik Theatre one hour before your opera performance begins for a free, 30-minute preview talk discussing that day’s production.

Seating is unreserved, but a ticket for that day’s performance is required. Talks begin one hour before each performance and doors open approximately 15 minutes before the start of the talks.

Pre-opera talks are supported by Raynette and Ned Boshell.

A recorded version of the Pre-opera talk is available below. 

© 2023/24 Lyric Opera Commentaries. All rights reserved.
The music featured is generously furnished by Warner Classics.

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

Photos

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Tamara Wilson as Senta and Tomasz Konieczny as The Dutchman.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Tomasz Konieczny as The Dutchman.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Mika Kares as Daland, Tomasz Konieczny as The Dutchman, and the Company of The Flying Dutchman.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Ryan Capozzo as Steersman, Tomasz Konieczny as The Dutchman, and the Company of The Flying Dutchman.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg

Articles

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By Christopher Alden

Director's Note: The Flying Dutchman

Read about director Christopher Alden's vision for The Flying Dutchman in this Director's Note, and experience his electrifying production of Wagner's masterpiece at Lyric September 23-October 7.
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Dutchman diaries

In a groundbreaking archeological discovery, researchers in Norway recently unearthed a collection of journal entries and captains’ logs dating back to 1843 that is said to provide concrete evidence supporting the legend of the Flying Dutchman. Read on for a fascinating adventure into the strange and uncharted waters of history!
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The story of a ghostly ship wandering the oceans captures the imagination across a wide range of genres.

A tale with sea legs

The story of a ghostly ship wandering the oceans captures the imagination across a wide range of genres. Before we bring Wagner's towering interpretation of the mythical captain and his doomed love to Lyric's stage, see where else this spooky story appears in pop culture.
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Get to know: Wagner's The Flying Dutchman

Today, more than 175 years since its premiere, The Flying Dutchman continues to thrill audiences musically, theatrically, and emotionally. If you're new to Wagner, it's the best possible introduction to his incredibly beautiful sound world, and to his extraordinary ability to penetrate into the hearts of his protagonists.
Read More

Artists

  • Tomasz Konieczny

    Tomasz Konieczny

    The Dutchman

  • Tamara Wilson

    Tamara Wilson

    Senta

  • Robert Watson

    Robert Watson *

    Erik

  • Mika Kares

    Mika Kares

    Daland

  • Ryan Capozzo

    Ryan Capozzo ***

    Steersman

  • Melody Wilson

    Melody Wilson *

    Mary

  • Enrique Mazzola

    Enrique Mazzola

    Conductor

  • Christopher Alden

    Christopher Alden

    Director

  • Allen Moyer

    Allen Moyer

    Set & Costume Designer

  • Anne Militello

    Anne Militello *

    Lighting Designer

  • Michael Black

    Michael Black

    Chorus Director

 

* Lyric debut
*** Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Program book

Go inside this production of The Flying Dutchman with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

Download program book 

Production of Canadian Opera Company.

Header image: Michael Cooper/Canadian Opera Company