Long recognized as one of the leading presenters
of Wagner’s operas in the United States, Seattle
Opera revives its critically acclaimed
production of
The Flying
Dutchman (Der
fliegende Holländer) this summer.
The red sails of the Dutchman’s ghostly ship
unfurl on August 4 and the opera stays docked at
McCaw Hall for eight performances: August 4, 8,
11, 14, 17, 19 (matinee), 22, and 25, 2007.
Tickets start at $25 and are available by
calling 206.389.7676/800.426.1619 or through
www.seattleopera.org.
The ghostly tale of a sailor doomed to sail the
seas forever may seem familiar to
moviegoers—both Wagner and the screenwriters of
the Pirates
of the Caribbean trilogy recognized
the romantic appeal of the tale of the Dutchman,
who can only go ashore every seven years to seek
true love. In Wagner’s version, the faithful
Senta frees the Dutchman from his curse through
her love.
The production is directed by Stephen Wadsworth,
whose many credits at Seattle Opera include the
company’s
Ring des Nibelungen (which returns in
2009) and Seattle Opera’s new co-production with
the Metropolitan Opera:
Iphigenia in
Tauris (opening October 13).
Conductor Asher Fisch returns to Seattle Opera
after winning the company’s Artist of the Year
Award for his conducting of last season’s
Der
Rosenkavalier and the 2006
International Wagner Competition.
Baritone Greer Grimsley and soprano Jane Eaglen,
who both have won Seattle Opera Artist of the
Year Awards for previous Wagnerian roles here,
portray the doomed Dutchman and his mortal love
Senta. American tenor Jay Hunter Morris sings
Erik. Making their Seattle Opera debuts in this
production are Australian bass Daniel Sumegi (Senta’s
father, Daland) and American tenor Jason Collins
(the Steersman). Collins previously sang at
McCaw Hall as one of the finalists of Seattle
Opera’s 2006 International Wagner Competition.
American mezzo-soprano Luretta Bybee sings
Mary. The same cast appears for all
performances.
THE
FLYING DUTCHMAN
(Der fliegende Holländer)
Revival of 1989 Seattle Opera Production
Music and libretto
by Richard Wagner
In German with English captions
Marion Oliver McCaw Hall
Tickets: $25 to
$162
Seattle
Opera Ticket Office: 206.389.7676/800.426.1619
Online Orders:
www.seattleopera.org
Approximate Running Time: 3 hours and 25
minutes including two intermissions
Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.; the
matinee begins at 2:00 p.m.
Premiere: Dresden, Königliches Sächsisches
Hoftheater, January 2, 1843
Previous Seattle Opera Presentations: January
1972 and January 1989
Artists
The Dutchman: Greer Grimsley
Senta: Jane Eaglen
Daland: Daniel Sumegi [SO debut]
Erik: Jay Hunter Morris
Mary: Luretta Bybee
The Steersman: Jason Collins [SO debut] *
Conductor: Asher Fisch
Stage Director: Stephen Wadsworth
Set Designer: Thomas Lynch
Costume Designer: Dunya Ramicova
Lighting Designer: Joan Arhelger
Chorusmaster: Beth Kirchhoff
English Captions: Jonathan Dean
Sets and Costumes: Seattle Opera (Original
Production, Premiered 1989)
One cast only
[SO debut] Company debut
*Jason Collins was a finalist in the 2006
International Wagner Competition.
