The Dutchman’s mysterious ghost ship is doomed to roam the seas until he finds true love on land. The young Senta dreams of the mythical Dutchman and longs to break his curse. But a chance to do so only occurs every seven years.

Irish National Opera’s first Wagner opera, The Flying Dutchman  stars soprano  Giselle Allen (Elektra 2021) as Senta and bass-baritone  Alfred Walker as the cursed Dutchman fated to continually sail the seas. Bass  James Creswell  plays Senta’s father Daland, with tenor  Toby Spence as Eric, mezzo-soprano  Carolyn Dobbin  as her nurse Mary, and tenor  Gavan Ring  as the steersman.   

Wagner’s epic score brilliantly captures the vast scale of the story, from the stormy overture to the final scene of tragedy and redemption. The Flying Dutchman is directed by  Rachael Hewer  and Irish National Opera’s  artistic director, Fergus Sheil, conducts the Irish National Opera orchestra and chorus.

Running time is 2 hours 45 min including one interval.