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

Activity: Teacher Resource
Activities: Legendary Legends
The story of the Flying Dutchman has been told differently depending on who is doing the
telling, and what lesson (if any) that speaker is trying to impart upon the audience. This
flexibility is an important aspect of legends.
Activity #1
Brainstorm legends (both contemporary and classical) in groups or as a class. Why do
we have legends? As a class, develop a working definition of “legends.”
Activity #2 Re-telling The Flying Dutchman
Wagner’s opera is only one adaptation of the Flying Dutchman story. Musicians,
artists, movie producers, and writers frequently rework folklore, history, and other texts
to suit their own needs. Have students write their own legend or retell one with a
particular lesson or theme in mind.
Activity #3 Sea-inspired stories
Oceans and seas have long inspired music, stories, and visual art throughout the world.
Stories such as the long journey of Odysseus and Jason’s hunt for the Golden Fleece are
ancient examples of sea-stories, but even in the 20 th century the mysteries and events of
the sea captivate our imagination. Research either a legend (like those mentioned
above) or an historical event (such as the sinking of the Titanic or the lost ships of the
Bermuda Triangle) as a class or in groups. What are the facts and how do they compare
with public perception? How are they represented artistically? Why is the sea such a
good place to blend fact and fiction?
Education Guide
The Flying Dutchman
by Richard Wagner
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