Education Guide The Flying Dutchman by ... - Edmonton Opera

Synopsis: The Flying Dutchman
Traditional Setting: 18 th Century, Norwegian Coast and fishing village
(please note that this production does not follow the traditional setting)
Act I
Captain Daland’s ship, caught in a storm, must take shelter in a cove seven miles away
from its home port. The seas grow rough and the sky darkens as a ghostly ship arrives
in the cove. The captain of the ship, the Flying Dutchman, disembarks, lamenting his
cruel fate. He is cursed because he once vowed to sail around the Cape of Good Hope,
even it took him forever, and for his pride was condemned him to sail the ocean until
Judgment Day. He may only leave the ship once every seven years to look for a wife
who will be faithful to him and only through her love can he find salvation.
The Dutchman offers the Captain Daland jewels in exchange for one night’s lodging,
and says that the chest is only a small portion of the treasure aboard his ship. He also
asks Daland if he has a daughter. When Daland responds that he does, the Dutchman
immediately asks for her hand in marriage. He offers the Captain all the treasure on his
ship in exchange. Daland agrees and promises that Senta, his daughter, will be a
faithful wife for all eternity. The Dutchman then follows Daland to his home port.
Captain Daland meets the Dutchman
Image from http://art-desy.com/classical.html
Act II
The village women are spinning wool in a factory. They tease Senta about her
obsession with a portrait of the Dutchman. They don’t understand why she ignores her
devoted suitor, Erik. She pays no attention and prays that she will be the one to save
the Dutchman from his cursed wandering. After the women leave, Erik begs Senta to
talk to her father about his worthiness to be her husband. He notices that she is staring
Education Guide
The Flying Dutchman
by Richard Wagner
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