With breathtaking music and haunting drama, our new production of The Flying Dutchman is a powerful tale of obsession, love and redemption and the perfect opportunity to experience Wagner in Scotland. Read more …
Senta, a young girl trapped in an isolated world, obsesses over the legendary Flying Dutchman, a tormented soul cursed to roam the seas until he finds a woman who will love him until death. Out in a violent storm, Senta’s father meets a weary stranger and invites him home, not knowing that his daughter’s obsession is about to become unsettlingly real.
Set in a remote Scottish coastal community, where life is hard and opportunities are few, the dark romance of the story is starkly compelling. Wagner’s immense score is driven by the furious rage of the sea and features full-blooded choruses and sweetly flowing melodies. Soprano Rachel Nicholls (one of the Times’ ‘Names to drop in 2013’) sings Senta and baritone Peteris Eglitis, known internationally for his Wagnerian roles, is The Dutchman. With a cast and chorus of 60 this is an epic music-drama not to be missed.
Does Fehr’s realist rethink really work? Ultimately, probably not – Wagner’s symbolism is so embedded in the opera that it’s difficult to ignore. But there were some wonderfully bathetic moments nonetheless.
Fehr’s staging...could do with sharper focus; the piece doesn’t always grip as it should.
I was gripped throughout and recommend the production.
Fortunately, while the production features many unfathomable choices it does not distract from the quality of the music, which remains as exquisite and moving as it should.
Harry Fehr brings 'unpleasant' Wagner to Scottish Opera
Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Thursday April 4, 2013, until Tuesday April 9, 2013. Performances on April 4, 6 and 9 only.. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/
Festival Theatre, Edinburgh from Saturday April 13, 2013, until Friday April 19, 2013. Performances on April 13, 16 and 19 only.. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/festival
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