In this guide, John Warrack places the opera in the context of emerging German Romanticism, John Deathridge highlights and explores the musical riches of the score and William Vaughan reviews the importance of myth to Wagner and his contemporaries. Mike Ashman explains the particular way in which Wagner turned the Dutchman legend to his own purposes and Katherine Syer outlines certain themes of the opera in relation to its performance history. Wagner's own programme note about the overture and his instructions to performers are also included.
The present guide contains the full German libretto and English translation by Lionel Salter, thirty-one black and white and colour illustrations, a musical thematic guide, a discography, a bibliography, and DVD and website guides. It is intended to enrich and extend readers' appreciation and enjoyment of this exciting work by one of the world's greatest opera composers.
Overture Opera Guides are published in association with English National Opera.
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