“Der fliegende Holländer” by Richard Wagner ♡

Paperback libretto with side-by-side translation

Now on stage in Europe — follow with this edition

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Premiere / date of written: 2 January 1843

Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) is a romantic opera in three acts by Richard Wagner. The libretto was written by the composer himself, based on the legend of a ghostly sea captain condemned to sail the oceans forever.

The opera premiered in 1843 at the Semper Oper in Dresden, conducted by Wagner. It marks an important turning point in his work, as he began to move toward the continuous musical structure and use of leitmotifs that would define his later works.

The story follows the mysterious Dutchman, who is allowed to come ashore once every seven years in search of a woman whose faithful love can redeem him. He meets Senta, a young woman deeply fascinated by his legend. Determined to save him, she ultimately proves her devotion through self-sacrifice, bringing him redemption.

The opera is known for its dramatic atmosphere, powerful choral scenes, and vivid orchestration. The overture, depicting a storm at sea, is one of Wagner’s most famous orchestral pieces. Senta’s Ballad stands at the emotional center of the work, expressing both her obsession and her destiny.

With its themes of redemption, fate, and unwavering love, Der fliegende Holländer is often considered the first opera in which Wagner’s mature artistic style begins to fully emerge.

Libretti

German–English side-by-side translation

#	Language	Authors
1	German	Richard Wagner
2	English
3	Russian	О. Лепко
4	Russian	Ю. Полежаева

original libretto
line-by-line of the original libretto

History

• 1843 January 2 — World premiere of Richard Wagner’s opera "Der fliegende Holländer" at the Königliches Sächsisches Hoftheater (Semperoper), Dresden on 2 January 1843.

Images

Printed Editions

Year	Edition	Publisher	Buy
2026	Der fliegende Holländer / The Flying Dutchman: Side-by-Side German–English Opera Libretto	DM’s Opera Series

Audio recordings

Year	Cast	Conductor, Opera chorus and orchestra	Label, Comment	Buy
1955	Der Holländer — Hermann Uhde, Senta — Astrid Varnay, Daland — Ludwig Weber, Erik — Wolfgang Windgassen, Der Steuermann — Josef Traxel, Mary — Elisabeth Schärtel	Hans Knappertsbusch Bayreuth Festspielhaus orchestra and chorus	Audio CD: Walhall Cat: WLCD0161	$15.99
1968	Der Holländer — Theo Adam, Senta — Anja Silja, Daland — Martti Talvela, Erik — Ernst Kozub, Der Steuermann — Gerhard Unger, Mary — Annelies Burmeister	Otto Klemperer BBC Chorus & New Philharmonia Orchestra	Audio CD: EMI Classics Cat: 5674082	$63.91
1976	Der Holländer — Norman Bailey, Senta — Janis Martin, Daland — Martti Talvela, Erik — René Kollo, Der Steuermann — Werner Krenn, Mary — Isola Jones	Sir Georg Solti Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus	Audio CD: Polygram Records	$14.56
1983	Der Holländer — José van Dam, Senta — Dunja Vejzovic, Daland — Kurt Moll, Erik — Peter Hofmann, Der Steuermann — Thomas Moser, Mary — Kaja Borris	Herbert von Karajan Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Vienna State Opera Chorus	Audio CD: EMI Classics	$71.01
1991	Der Holländer — Bernd Weikl, Senta — Cheryl Studer, Daland — Hans Sotin, Erik — Plácido Domingo, Der Steuermann — Peter Seiffert, Mary — Uta Priew	Giuseppe Sinopoli Deutsche Oper Berlin orchestra and chorus	Audio CD: Deutsche Grammophon Cat: 4377782	$53.17
1994	Der Holländer — James Morris, Senta — Deborah Voigt, Daland — Jan-Hendrik Rootering, Erik — Ben Heppner, Der Steuermann — Paul Groves, Mary — Birgitta Svendén	James Levine Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus	Audio CD: Sony	$33.99
2001	Der Holländer — Falk Struckmann, Senta — Jane Eaglen, Daland — Robert Holl, Erik — Peter Seiffert, Der Steuermann — Rolando Villazón, Mary — Felicity Palmer	Daniel Barenboim Berlin State Opera, Staatskapelle Berlin Berlin State Choir	Audio CD: Teldec

Video recordings

Year	Cast	Conductor, Opera chorus and orchestra, Director	Label, Comment	Buy
1974	Der Holländer — Donald McIntyre, Senta — Catarina Ligendza, Daland — Bengt Rundgren, Erik — Hermann Winkler, Der Steuermann — Harald Ek, Mary — Ruth Hesse	Wolfgang Sawallisch Bayerisches Staatsorchester and Chorus Václav Kašlík	DVD: DG: Cat: 073 4433; 001099309	$23.19
1985	Der Holländer — Simon Estes, Senta — Lisbeth Balslev, Daland — Matti Salminen, Erik — Robert Schunk, Der Steuermann — Graham Clark, Mary — Anny Schlemm	Woldemar Nelsson Bayreuth Festspielhaus orchestra and chorus Harry Kupfer	DVD: Deutsche Grammophon Cat: 0734041	$38.99
2013	Der Holländer — Samuel Youn, Senta — Ricarda Merbeth, Daland — Franz-Josef Selig, Erik — Tomislav Muek, Der Steuermann — Benjamin Bruns, Mary — Christa Mayer	Christian Thielemann Bayreuth Festival Orchestra & Chorus Jan Philipp Gloger	DVD: Opus Arte	$31.32

External links

• Line-to-line translation into russian Подстрочный прозаический перевод с немецкого оригинала оперы Рихарда Вагнера «Летучий голландец».
• Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Recordings of The Flying Dutchman on operadis-opera-discography.org.uk