The Flying Dutchman was Wagner’s breakthrough opera. Though Wagner still employed independent arias and choruses, his operatic concept transcended earlier works such as Rienzi, which was influenced by French grand opera. The supernatural tale of the Dutchman, condemned to roam the seas unless redeemed by a wife who will be faithful to him unto death, inspired an ambitious work in which Wagner was able to unite his dramatic and musical vision with a powerful combined effect for the first time.

A leading international dramatic soprano, Jennifer Holloway returned to the Bavarian State Opera as Senta (Der fliegende Holländer) in the 2023–24 season. She has been lauded for her ‘nuanced dramatic impulses’ and a ‘voice that is liquid, lambent, and lit from within’.

‘The performance of Wagner opera with HK Phil Chorus and Netherlands Radio Choir [is] a fitting reminder of Dutchman Jaap van Zweden’s work with the orchestra’, wrote Ken Smith in the South China Morning Post of this production of The Flying Dutchman.

‘The Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden, the music director of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, deserves an award for steering his players through initially unfamiliar music with such a firm hand and sustained panache. Trophies should equally go to the musicians for their warmth, robustness and precision. When the horns call out before Siegfried’s fateful return to the Rhine forest in Act II, or in the Act III prelude, you’re hearing one of the best Wagner orchestras in the world’, wrote The Times (UK) on 866042831 (Götterdämmerung).

Esteemed conductor Jaap van Zweden served as music director of the New York Philharmonic from 2018 to 2024 and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra from 2012 to 2024, and in January 2024 took on the same role with the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra. He has appeared with renowned orchestras worldwide, including the Berliner Philharmoniker, London Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. During the 2024/25 season, he led the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on its European tour. He was awarded the Concertgebouw Prize in 2023, and is conductor emeritus of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra and honorary chief conductor of the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest where he was chief conductor from 2005 to 2013.

Cast:
- The Dutchman: Brian Mulligan (baritone)
- Senta: Jennifer Holloway (soprano)
- Erik: Bryan Register (tenor)
- Daland: Ain Anger (bass)
- Steersman: Richard Trey Smagur (tenor)
- Mary: Maya Yahav Gour (mezzo-soprano)