Der fliegende Holländer

Der fliegende Holländer

Irish National Opera’s first Wagner production. A mythical sea captain The Flying Dutchman and his long quest for love, redemption and escape. A large-scale new co-production with Garsington Opera.
Irish National Opera

The first Wagner opera in Dublin since the 2012 Wide Open Opera production of Tristan und Isolde. The first performance of Der fliegende Holländer in Dublin for 24 years.

This early masterpiece from Wagner paves the way for his later more expansive operas. In The Flying Dutchman the central characters undertake epic searches for meaning in their lives, exploring realms beyond everyday existence. Epic arias, duets and choruses, underpinned by lavish orchestration, take us on a voyage to great emotional depths.

American Baritone Jordan Shanahan makes his Irish National Opera début in the title role together with Giselle Allen (Senta), Toby Spence (Erik) and James Creswell (Daland). New production directed by Rachael Hewer, designed by Francis O’Connor.

Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin 23, 25, 27, 29 March 2025

Creative Team:
Director: Rachael Hewer
Set & Costume Designer: Francis O’Connor
Lighting Designer: Howard Hudson
Projection Designer: Neil O’Driscoll
Choreographer: Stephanie Dufresne

Cast:
Der fliegende Holländer: Jordan Shanahan
Senta: Giselle Allen
Daland: James Creswell
Erik: Toby Spence
Mary: Carolyn Dobbin
Steuerman: Gavan Ring

Irish National Opera Chorus
Irish National Opera Orchestra
Conductor: Fergus Sheil

Fergus Sheil ensured cast, chorus and orchestra remained on track throughout the production. He coaxed swirling, elemental sonorities from the INO Orchestra in the Overture with some prominent contributions from the horns…The orchestra really caught fire at the end of the third act when the phantom sailors make their appearance. The way in which Sheil ratcheted up tension from that point onwards was particularly impressive. This production is another resounding success for Irish National Opera - Seen and Heard International

Conductor Fergus Sheil drew out the full emotional and musical richness of Wagner’s score… capturing the excitement and drama of the work with aplomb  – Bachtrack

★★★★ It’s unfair to leave to last the all-important role of the INO Orchestra, conducted by Fergus Sheil, Irish National Opera’s artistic director. Tempi flow naturally and orchestral colours are well delineated, with clear-sounding strings and confident brass. A special mention for the reliable horns and the lugubrious tuba – The Irish Times

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 – Nomoreworkshorse

Grounding the opera’s emotional core, which is given full expression by Irish National Opera Orchestra under Fergus Sheil’s elegant baton. Wagner’s rising, falling, sweeping score… Sheil’s surrendering to passion in a beautiful judged performance – The Arts Review

The musical side of the production was in the hands of the conductor Fergus Sheil, who successfully captured the depth and delicacy of the score’s rich textures in a gripping performance from the Irish National Opera Orchestra. The sound was clearly defined and rhythmically strong, and the musical momentum was expertly handled to successfully reflect the changing atmosphere, shifting perfectly between capturing the turbulence and unpredictability of the sea, the heavy gloom that hung over the work and the interactions between the characters – Operawire

Video of full production