The Flying Dutchman – Bord Gais Energy Theatre – Review

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN – Irish National Opera presents THE FLYING DUTCHMAN coming to Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in 2025.
23 – 29 March 2025

Richard Wagner’ “The Flying Dutchman” by the Irish National Opera at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre,
Dublin on Sunday 23rd, Tuesday 25th, Thursday 27th and Saturday 29th March 2025.
Directed by Rachael Hewer and sung in German with English surtitles.

Wagner claimed in his 1870 autobiography that he had been inspired to write the opera following a stormy sea crossing he made from Riga to London in 1839. He conducted the premiere at the Königliches Hoftheater Dresden in 1843. This is Wagner’s first great opera and had its Irish premiere at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin in 1877. The title character, the Dutchman himself, has been cursed to wander the seas forever and is allowed to make landfall only once every seven years to try and find a woman who will be faithful – only she can save his soul. So, when the Dutchman meets a fellow captain, Daland, and hears he has a daughter, he offers him money to marry her. But the daughter, Senta, already knows all about the legend of the Dutchman and is full of empathy for his suffering, to the dismay of the hunter Erik, who is in love with her. When she and Dutchman finally meet, the strange bond between them grows dangerously strong….

This is Irish National Opera’s first Wagner opera and stars Northern Irish soprano Giselle Allen as Senta. She brings a wonderful dramatic presence to the role with great power in the high notes.  American baritone Jordan Shanahan stars the cursed Dutchman fated to continually sail the seas and brings authority and intensity to the role.  American Bass James Creswell plays Senta’s father Daland, a believable captain of men who brings humour to the role. English tenor Toby Spence plays Eric, evoking lyrical passion in his attempts to woo Senta. Carrickfergus born mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin plays Senta’s nurse, Mary, with assuredness and occasional humour. Cahirciveen born Gavan Ring is in fine voice as the steersman.

The Irish National Opera Chorus, with New Dublin Voices providing the off-stage chorus, were in fine voice, rich and vibrant.  Stephanie Dufresne’s choreography was entertaining and very ably executed. The sets and costumes by Francis O’Connor are excellent, with a ship’s deck theme including a centre stage lookout mast climbed fearlessly by various characters throughout, and ghastly red sails appearing to the rear with projected stormy rain cascading down them. Hatches in the floor allow characters to appear and disappear most effectively. Later a dramatic lighthouse appears to the right of the stage. The sailors are dressed in worn dark black sou’wester coats and the village girls in contrasting white macs in the fish factory scene and patterned dresses elsewhere. The lighting was most suitable and dramatic as required. The well-known overture introduces us to the village women and we see Senta as an innocent red-coated child greeting all the women, presaging a later scene where the adult Senta wears a similar coat.

Underpinning it all was Wagner’s epic score, ably brought to us by the Irish National Opera Orchestra under the sure baton of Irish National Opera’s artistic director, Fergus Sheil. From the stormy overture, the rich harmonies and descriptive orchestration carried us ever onwards to the final scene of tragedy and redemption. See it if you can!