Der fliegende Holländer: Richard Wagner

In the organizer's words:

"Explosive topic brilliantly staged". In the new production, the story of the "Flying Dutchman" appears in the guise of a "contemporary psychological thriller" (Klassik.com). Richard Wagner's powerful music invites us to question the driven characters of his opera analytically. Director Martin G. Berger focuses his attention on the enigmatic past of Senta, her father Daland and the Dutchman. Using the means of retrospection and memory, the production undertakes a deep drilling. Layer by layer, it reveals the patriarchal structures that overshadow the relationship between father and daughter and from which the grown-up Senta, now her own savior, tries to fight her way out. Alexandre Corazzola's set design shows the surface of an idyllic family home and is transformed into a psychological space by Vincent Stephan's videos.

Soprano Dorothea Herbert makes her scenic debut in Wiesbaden with this new production. She was previously a guest at the International May Festival in a Wagner concert. She recently caused a sensation in Prague with the role of Senta. The role of the Dutchman will be sung by the Finnish baritone and experienced Wagner singer Tommi Hakala. Daland will be embodied by audience favorite Young Doo Park. The production will be directed by Martin G. Berger, author and operetta specialist as well as experienced creator of innovative and socially reflective theater. In 2020, he received the prestigious German theater award DER FAUST in the category "Best Director Musical Theater" for "Ariadne auf Naxos" in Weimar. He was also awarded the German Musical Theater Prize and the Orpheus for special services to operetta.

Under the baton of General Music Director Leo McFall, "The Flying Dutchman" returns to the repertoire for the International May Festival with a gala cast: Vida Miknevičiūtė is not only captivating as Senta on the major international stages. With Johan Reuter as the Dutchman and Stephen Milling as Daland, two leading Wagner interpreters are coming to the Hessisches Staatstheater for the first time.