PLOT

Part 1

Act 1, 2

The land is flooded by water. The cargo is scattered all around. We find ourselves at a point defined by disaster: in a silent nook of time. The disoriented Norwegian crew under Daland’s command tries to understand the situation they found themselves in.They are nervous because the storm in the Sandvike Bay interrupted their coming back to their village. Finally the mariners are overcome by exhaustion and fall asleep. A handicapped boy, who thinks he is the helmsman, keeps watch during which the captain of the ghostly Flying Dutchman appears. A stranger comes from the sea. The captain starts his story about a curse that seems to permeate everybody and everything. The curse condems him to endless wandering across the seas and oceans. His only comrades are the ship’s crew solely made up of cadavres. Only the unconditional love of a woman who would remain faithful to him may put an end to his wonderings. Only such a sacrifice could bring him salvation. But such an opportunity presents itself only once in seven years. The Dutchman asks Daland about his daughter and he, moved by the stranger’s riches, promises him a quick wedding with Senta – his only daughter. The Dutchman starts his game with Daland’s greed. Than the wind changes its direction. Nowthey can sail out. The women await the sailors on land. Excited, they feel their proximity. Their voices get carried across the sea. Their songs are a promise of the coming meetings. They want to play and make love. Only Senta is immersed in a melancholic torpor, as if waiting for a demon lover. Tempted by the vision of her own happiness she starts telling the story of the Flying Dutchman. She identifies with an angel bringing salvation to the Dutchman, she wants to devote herself to him in order to save him. The power of her story influences the anxious women. This kind of anxiety only enhances their desires. Eric - the hunter in love with Senta who offers her a peaceful family life - appears. But she has made her choice – she is expecting the Dutchman. She is all expec ation of an extraordinary fullfillment, which possesses her like a hypnotic precognition. Eric tells her with great emotion about his dream in which he saw her suicidal death. Meanwhile Daland appears with the news of the mysterious stranger and asks Senta to accept his marriage offer. The love contest between Senta and the Dutchman starts. It is full of fear and inhibition but gives the hope of fulfillment. It is difficult for Senta to believe in the Dutchman’s existence. He in turn, having gone through many such trials, is unable to believe in the sincerity of her intentions. Their almost ritualistic conversation is interrupted by Daland who invites the couple to the wedding party.

Part 2

Act 3

Women dressed in wedding gowns are immersed in a disturbing trance. Songs of the mariners eager for merry-making can be heard. Together with them the ghost-like presence of the Flying Dutchman may be sensed, exciting the awaiting women. The grim feast starts. The mariners‘ beckonings become more and more intense. Yet the women expect a different call. Only the singing of the Flying Dutchman’s crew will move them. Senta appears. She is also ready to be bethroded. But not with Eric who, terrified, watches as before his very eyes the dream prohecy comes true. Eric reminds Senta that she had sworn an oath of fidelity to him. The Dutcheman witnesses this scene and sees in it Senta’s betrayal. Eric in despair shoots from his hunting gun. The wounded Flying Dutchman returns to the sea and disappears in its black depths. Senta in despair begins to understand that in order to keep the promise she had made to the Dutchman she has to make a radical gesture. Abandoned, she tears the gun awayfrom Eric. This is just a consequence of the invisible geometry of feelings. A shot rings out, a shot that may, perhaps, open a possible new life. A life that will not smother all feelings.