Cast

Creative Team

ACT I
Daland’s ship has been caught in a ferocious storm and is driven off-course, miles from home. Anchored in an unexpected port, Daland sends his crew off to rest while his Steersman is left to keep watch, but he soon falls asleep while dreaming of his sweetheart. A second ship arrives and drops anchor next to Daland’s fishing vessel. An unfamiliar character boards the deck and explores the surroundings, while reflecting on his own fate: that once every seven years he is permitted to leave his own ship and crew to find a wife on land. He has been cursed, and the only way to find freedom from the curse is through the promise of faithfulness from an honest woman. If he finds her, he is released from the spell and is redeemed from his deathless wandering. Daland returns and discovers the phantom ship along with the sleeping Steersman and the stranger – a “Dutchman”. The Dutchman offers treasure and jewels in return for a night’s lodging with Daland and his daughter, Senta. Daland agrees to give Senta’s hand in marriage and they both set sail for Daland’s home.

ACT II
Senta (Daland’s daughter) is captivated by the portrait of The Flying Dutchman, and has been spell-bound by the story of this man’s mysterious fate since she was a child. Mary and the other women from the fishing community on land, tease Senta about her infatuation with the portrait and Senta describes to them the story of the myth and the curse and she declares that she will be the woman to save him. Senta’s previous love-interest arrives – he is Erik, a huntsman and butcher – and he announces that Daland and the fishing crew have returned. Mary instructs the women to prepare to be reunited with the Sailors on board. Erik and Senta have a passionate discussion about her feelings for the Flying Dutchman, as Erik replays a dream he has had, during which Senta sails away with the Dutchman on his ship and is lost to him forever. Senta declares that this is what she must do and Erik flees in despair. Moments later, the Dutchman arrives in Senta’s house. They are both transfixed. Daland asks his daughter to welcome the stranger and suggests that she consider him as a husband. Senta vows to be faithful to him unto death – aware of the conditions of her commitment. Daland is overjoyed and prepares to share the news with the rest of the community.

ACT III
The Sailors are reunited with the rest of the community and their celebrations escalate, fuelled by food and wine. They taunt the mysterious ship with the red sails and joke that they must be the infamous ghost crew of the Flying Dutchman. Suddenly, the ghost crew can be heard, cursing Daland’s crew and mocking their own captain’s quest to find salvation. Senta tries to reason with Erik, who pleads with her to not marry the Dutchman, but instead remember her promise to him and their future together. The Dutchman overhears this exchange and mistakes Senta’s friendship with Erik as betrayal. The Dutchman proclaims that all is lost, and that he cannot continue with his betrothal to Senta, and that she should remain free from the curse. Senta tries to stop him from leaving, but it’s too late. The Dutchman reveals his identity to the unsuspecting community and leaves in his ship which sinks into the water. Senta throws herself into the sea, proving her faithfulness unto death.