Lyric Opera 2023-2024 Issue 1 - The Flying Dutchman

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 24 ACT I On Daland’s ship Daland, a sea-captain, drops anchor near his home harbor, and orders the Steersman to keep watch. The tired man falls asleep and fails to see the arrival of the Dutchman’s ship, which anchors beside Daland’s vessel. When Daland discovers the strange ship, he calls to its captain, who identi es himself simply as “a Dutchman” and offers a rich reward for one night’s lodging. He then offers his fabulous treasure as a dowry for the hand of Daland’s daughter, and Daland eagerly agrees. ACT II Daland’s home Daland’s daughter, Senta, stares at a portrait of the Flying Dutchman while the women around her sing as they work. Senta then sings a song about the Dutchman, a sea captain condemned to sail for eternity. He is permitted to set foot on land only once every seven years, to search for salvation in a woman’s love. Mary, Senta’s companion, scolds Senta for her obsession with this legend, and tells her that when her father returns, she will ask him to remove from the house the picture of the Dutchman. Erik, Senta’s suitor, enters to say that he has seen her father’s ship sailing towards harbor. He presses her to ask her father to give him her hand in marriage. Senta, however, continues to speak of her fascination with the Flying Dutchman, and Erik tells her of a dream in which he saw her embrace a strange seaman. In despair, Erik leaves. Daland then enters with his guest, and Senta is mesmerized by the Dutchman, whom she recognizes from the portrait. Daland explains that the stranger wishes to marry her and leaves the couple together. Senta agrees to marry the Dutchman. ACT III By the Dutchman’s ship During the homecoming celebration, Daland’s crew and their women are terri ed by an encounter with the Dutchman’s ghostly crew. Erik angrily confronts Senta about her decision to marry the Dutchman. As Erik reminds Senta of her promise to love him, the Dutchman enters and overhears the exchange. Convinced that Senta is lost to him, the Dutchman is overwhelmed with despair. He accuses her of in delity and sets sail with his men. Proclaiming her eternal faithfulness to the Dutchman, Senta dies. PRODUCTION SPONSORS Anonymous Donor Josef & Margot Lakonishok MAESTRO ENRIQUE MAZZOLA IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY MEMBERS OF THE ENRIQUE CIRCLE: Alice & John Butler H. Gael Neeson Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefuly acknowledges the support of the Irma Parker German Opera Endowed Chair and the Anonymous Wagner Opera Endowed Chair. The Flying Dutchman is a production of the Canadian Opera Company,Toronto, Canada. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Of cial Airline,American Airlines. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS This production will be performed without intermission. Running time 2 hours 20 minutes Synopsis LYRIC’S 2023/24 SEASON IS PRESENTED BY and Julie & Roger Baskes.