This Sunday: the ‘Flying Dutchman’ by Richard Wagner at State Opera

The State Opera in Prague presents Der fliegende Holländer– the opera by Richard Wagner which tells the tale of a Dutchman and his quest to find love.

The opera had its grand opening on 20th January 2022 and is continuing to be shown throughout the year, with the next performance on Sunday 20th February. 

The opera tells the tale of “The Flying Dutchman” who was a sea captain who once found himself struggling to round the Cape of Good Hope during a ferocious storm. He swore that he would succeed even if he had to sail until Judgment Day. After seven years, the ship enters the harbor and the Dutchman goes ashore and searches for love.

Written by Richard Wager, it is claimed in his 1870 autobiography “Mein Leben” that he had been inspired to write the opera following a stormy sea crossing he made from Riga to London in July and August 1839.

The opera’s original 1843 production ran more than 2 hours and 20 minutes without intermission and consisted of three acts. 

The cast of the National Theatre’s production includes Joachim Goltz as The Flying Dutchman and Elizabeth Teige as Senata.

The audience will be able to enjoy this performance in German, however, there will also be Czech and English subtitles.

Its first performance in the Czech lands was given on 7 September 1856 by the German opera company at the Estates Theatre in Prague, under the baton of František Škroup. 

The opera’s new production will be undertaken by the German conductor Karl-Heinz Steffens, currently serving as the music director of the State Opera, and the Norwegian theatre director and designer Ole Anders Tandberg.

For tickets and more information please visit the National Theatre’s website.