The Top 5 Things you May Not Know About Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman

1. Before Wagner composed his epic 5 hour operas, he wrote The Flying Dutchman, a compact, 2 and a half hour gem.
2. Wagner’s musical influences for The Flying Dutchman came from the operas of Verdi, Donizetti, and other popular Italian tunesmiths.
3. The Flying Dutchman is a straightforward tale of love, loss, one haunted ship and a bunch of drunken sailors.
4. Pop icons such as Jethro Tull and Tori Amos are just a few who have also set the Dutchman story to music. Other references can be found in The Pirates of the Caribbean and SpongeBob SquarePants.
5. Madison Opera’s production of The Flying Dutchman opened at New York City Opera on September 15th, 2001, four days after its intended premiere on September 11th. At Mayor Guiliani’s request, it was the first show held at a major New York arts venue after the tragedy.

BONUS: Norwegian soprano Turid Karlsen returns to Madison Opera in the role of Senta after her stunning debut in Turandot (2004). The Los Angeles Times raves, “Her voice is thrilling.” Watch Turid perform excerpts from The Flying Dutchman on YouTube!

TICKETS: Don’t wait to purchase your seats for this Madison premiere on April 9  and 11 in Overture Hall. Buy online or call (608) 258-4141. Tickets start at just $16!