DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER Finale | Cheryl Studer, Alan Titus, Jorma Silvasti | Bayreuth

Opera and libretto by Richard Wagner, conceived by the composer to be performed without intermission; however, it is also performed with breaks between acts. This run of performances was performed without intermission.

This finale is equal parts powerful, electrying-intense, and extraordinarily beautiful. With her large, powerful, luminous and distinctive instrument, Cheryl Studer, as Senta, delivers a sustained, live-coil ardor and intensity that, in my opinion, matches or even surpasses darling Leonie Rysanek’s. The other principals, too, are the stuff of dream casting. No one ever talks about the fine Dutchman of Alan Titus nor the equally fine Erik of Jorma Silvasti and one wonders why but comes up empty. No less important is the direction of Peter Schneider, a conductor in the great German tradition. No one talks about him either. And the late, exceptional Norbert Balatsch shaped the Bayreuth chorus to match the intensity of the principals which helped raise the already scorching-hot musical temperature to a level we no longer experience.

Der Holländer - Alan Titus
Senta - Cheryl Studer
Erik - Jorma Silvasti

26 July 1999, Bayreuth, Festspielhaus, Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele, Peter Schneider

The Finale from the year prior:
   • DER FLIEGENDE HOLLÄNDER Finale - Cher...