Product Overview
Der Fliegende Holländer - Richard Wagner / Conductor: Leif Segerstam, Director: Ilkka Backman, Hildegard Behrens, Matti Salminen, Franz Grundheber / NVC Arts DVD Video CD 1989 / 9031-71486-2
UPC 0090317148625
Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman), WWV 63, is a German-language opera, with libretto and music by Richard Wagner. The central theme is redemption through love. Wagner conducted the premiere at the Königliches Hoftheater Dresden in 1843.
Wagner claimed in his 1870 autobiography Mein Leben that he had been inspired to write the opera following a stormy sea crossing he made from Riga to London in July and August 1839. In his 1843 Autobiographic Sketch, Wagner acknowledged he had taken the story from Heinrich Heine's retelling of the legend in his 1833 satirical novel The Memoirs of Mister von Schnabelewopski (Aus den Memoiren des Herrn von Schnabelewopski).
This work shows early attempts at operatic styles that would characterise his later music dramas. In Der fliegende Holländer Wagner uses a number of leitmotivs (literally, "leading motifs") associated with the characters and themes. The leitmotifs are all introduced in the overture, which begins with a well-known ocean or storm motif before moving into the Dutchman and Senta motifs.
Wagner originally wrote the work to be performed without intermission – an example of his efforts to break with tradition – and, while today's opera houses sometimes still follow this directive, it is also performed in a three-act version.
| Label: | NVC Arts – 9031-71486-2 |
|---|---|
| Format: |
DVD, DVD-Video
|
| Country: | Europe |
| Released: |
1989 |
| Genre: | Classical, Stage & Screen |
| Style: | Opera, Romantic |
IIkkka Backman’s acclaimed production takes place outdoors in the huge courtyard of Finland’s 500-year-old Olavinlinna Castle - a majestic and
impressive setting, which gives the production an atmosphere and realism almost impossible to create in a conventional theatre.
Hildegard Behrens, at the height of her career, is the tragic Senta, whose destiny is to redeem the Dutchman from his fate. The German bass-baritone,
Franz Grundheber, sings the title role, and Finland’s own Matti Salminen is the Norwegian sea captain, Daland.
- Music and Libretto - RICHARD WAGNER
- Director - ILKKA BACKMAN
- Designer - JUHANIT PIRSKANEN
- Directed for video by - AARNO CRONVALL
- Orchestra, Choir - Savonlinna Opera Festival Orchestra and Chorus
- Conductor - LEIF SEGERSTAM
- The Dutchman - FRANZ GRUNDHEBER
- Senta - HILDEGARD BEHRENS
- Daland - MATTI SALMINEN
- Erik - RAIMO SIRKIA
- Mary - ANITA VALKKI
- Steersman - JORMA SILVASTI
