Wagner: Der Fliegende Hollander [Import]

This is a really aggravating production of Der Fliegende Holländer. I am open to wild or postmodern productions (I liked the Copenhagen Ring), but I hate when the production almost seems to make fun of the work like it is one big joke. The opening scene has everyone on a cruise ship. It is like a spoof of the actual story.

Senta is spinning a spinning wheel while the other women are getting glamorous for their men. Why would Senta have a spinning wheel on a cruise ship or in a spa? Makes no sense. This is the problem with Regietheater. One aspect works while something else is totally out of place in the concept. I don't need a traditional production, but if I am going to buy into the crazy concept, I need to be able to buy into it. Of course, if the director was aiming for a Brechtian distancing effect (Verfremdungseffekt), then maybe he achieved his goal. I don't know.

I think the singers do a creditable job for the most part, but most opera lovers are going to want to turn off the picture and just listen. I was hoping this would be a great addition to my Wagner dvd collection, but I regretted buying it. The singers are decent but not outstanding, so overall, this is an aggravating production that seems to make a joke out of the opera.

The audio and soloists were magnificent; the visual production was extremely modern and I do not believe it reflects Wagner's conception.

At last a modern Fliegende Hollander,conducted by that master conductor Haenchen,with the Netherlands Phil orchestra.He of the Dutch Ring fame, which uses the notes Wagner made during the 1876 first Ring.The tempi in this opera is swift which brings the emotion to the fore. Slow conducting is the death of opera. The staging is modern. Myth for today, not yesterday, or in the good old days. I like the ending when the tenor shoots both Senta and the Dutchman. A nice touch. The singers ,Catherine Naglestad as Senta,Robert Lloyd,as Daland(He has been going for ages),Erik, Marco Jentzsch,the Dutchman,Juha Uusitalo are all good.(he is Wotan in the Valencia Ring). The other parts are well sung. The choir is a credit to the opera.I do not think the traditionalists will like the staging of this opera.So do not complain if you buy it, you have been warned.