Der fliegende Hollander is the first of Wagner’s operas that the author considered to be representative of his mature style. The Dutchman embodies one of the major themes that recur throughout Wagner’s work: that of a central character seeking redemption from a loving woman. Originally taken from a story by Heinrich Heine, Wagner extended and enriched his musical and dramaturgical language to produce an opera of extraordinary power.

An essay in the guide places the opera in the context of emerging German Romanticism, and another highlights the musical riches of the score. A further article explores the emerging importance of myth to Wagner and his contemporaries. As well as a detailed description of the work’s performance history, the volume contains Wagner’s own instructions to his performers and his programme note about the overture. Illustrations, a thematic guide, the full libretto with English translation and reference sections are also included.