The flying
Dutchman
Lise Davidsen / Photo: James Hole
Lise Davidsen and tumultuous love
Experience a rising star in a concert performance of Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman.
Amazing voice
“The sheer force of her voice when she hits the high notes is a phenomenon in itself” – wrote Maren Ørstavik in Aftenposten after experiencing Lise Davidsen in The Power of Fate in 2023.
The Norwegian star soprano is sought after across the world. She was named International Opera Awards Female Singer of the Year in 2021, won the Spellemannprisen in Norway in the category of ‘International Success of the Year’ in 2020 and has been nominated for the award several times.
She is now taking the stage at the Oslo Opera House to sing the role of Senta in a concert performance of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. It will be performed live on the Main Stage and she will be accompanied by Grammy-winning bass-baritone Gerald Finley in the title role. The New York Times has called this Canadian an “artist of the first rank”. Experiencing the two together in Wagner’s masterpiece is a truly unique opportunity.
The redeeming power of love
The plot of The Flying Dutchman is based on the legend of the same name about a ghost ship that is never able to make port, but doomed to sail the seven seas for all eternity. The Dutchman is trapped in a curse and can only be redeemed by the love of a faithful woman. Redemption through love is a common theme in Wagner’s work.
Wagner wrote the opera in 1841, inspired by a stormy sea voyage that ended with him seeking refuge along the Norwegian coast. It is considered his breakthrough as an opera composer.
New music director
Edward Gardner, the Oslo Opera House’s new music director, is conducting the Opera Orchestra and the Opera Chorus, while Norwegian National Opera performer Eirik Grøtvedt is singing the role of the Steersman. The recording of the concert will be released on Decca Classics.
Synopsis
The plot of The Flying Dutchman is based on the legend of the same name, about the ghost ship that can never make port and is doomed to sail the seven seas for eternity. The Dutchman is trapped in a curse, and the only thing that can save him is the love of a faithful woman.
One of the ships belonging to ship owner Daland is caught in a storm and seeks refuge in a remote bay. Here he encounters a curious stranger, homelessly wandering the world. The stranger offers Daland great wealth if he can give him the night’s lodging. Daland happily accepts, not least because this apparently adventurous rich sailor will ask him for the hand of his daughter Senta.
Senta brings a deep sense of unease into her father's house when she sings the terrifying and touching ballad about the Flying Dutchman. She is convinced the story is true, and that she has been called upon to save this unfortunate man from his fate.
Erik the huntsman, who loves Senta, does not like her having romantic thoughts about the Dutchman. He worries that her father is soon going to marry her off, and in vain demands that she agree to put in a good word for him with Daland.
Daland arrives with the strange sailor, and Senta immediately recognizes the man she has made it her life’s goal to save. Soon the two of them are close, and Senta swears to be true to the Dutchman to death. Daland understands that a profitable marriage is within reach.
The sailors celebrate the return of the trading ship, but with their wild behaviour they provoke the release of destructive and terrifying forces.
Erik again attempts to win Senta and reminds her that once, a long time ago, she vowed him eternal fidelity. The Dutchman has secretly listened to their conversation, realizing that the condition for saving him is impossible to satisfy. Senta seals her oath of fidelity with her death.