The Flying Dutchman

24 Oct 2016 – By Richard Wagner

The Flying Dutchman is a legendary ghost ship that can never make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever. The myth is likely to have originated from 17thC nautical folklore. The oldest extant version dates to the late 18thC. Sightings in the 19th and 20thC reported the ship to be glowing with ghostly light. If hailed by another ship, the crew of the Flying Dutchman will try to send messages to land, or to people long dead. In ocean lore, the sight of this phantom ship is a portent of doom.

The Dutchman was cursed to sail the seas for eternity, and only a woman’s love could set him free. An enjoyable performance in 3Acts without intermission.

Sun: have not been to a life-opera for a long while and this was quite a new refreshing experience to see a setting in South-east Asia with regional influences such as wayang kulit (shadow puppetry) and the set is inspired by a kelong, or fishing villages on stilts.

The shadows and colours gave a vibrant effect. Glen Goei and Chong Tze Chian did an excellent job for the stage designs.

Presented by the Richard Wagner Association (Singapore), co-produced with Opera Viva. Limited and in association with The Finger Players Ltd, The Flying Dutchman (first performed in Dresden 1843) is staged at the historic and beautifully refurbished, grand dame, the Victoria Theatre with conductor Darrell Ang and the opera chorus conductor Albert Tay.

Sento – Kathleen Parker, Winner of the Wolfgang Wagner Prize and Audience Prize at the 2015 International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices. The Dutchman – Oleksandr Pushniak, Winner of First Prize and Audience Favourite at the 2012 International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices. Erik – Jakob Pustina and Daland – Andres Hörl.

Appreciations to Juliana and Peggy for this entertaining evening.

The post-reception before and during the crowds.

Tkx for Hong’s good company and for Vietnamese supper@JooChiat.

Who hath seen the Phantom Ship,
Her lordly rise and lowly dip,
Careering o’er the lonesome main,
No port shall know her keel again…
Ah, woe is in the awful sight,
The sailor finds there eternal night,
‘Neath the waters he shall ever sleep,
And Ocean will the secret keep 

Albert Pinkham Ryder