About Us

The Flying Dutchman’s première at the Bolshoi’s New Stage, on 20 June 2004, was a ground-breaking event for the Theatre’s Opera Company. First, with this production the Bolshoi joined ranks with the world opera community where co-productions have long been popular for, as is well known, a co-production makes it possible to cut costs while, at the same time, reaching new audiences. Second, this was the first time that the first version of The Flying Dutchman had been performed in Russia (music director and conductor was Alexander Vedernikov). Third, the Bolshoi Opera Company worked under the guidance of the world-famous opera director, Peter Konwitschny, the leader of German directors’ theatre. Fourth, the two main roles were sung by foreign opera stars.
Finally, Peter Konwitschny’s The Flying Dutchman was liked by both public and critics, who appreciated the intelligence and subtlety of his startling interpretation of a well-known story.
In 2006, The Flying Dutchman transferred to Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich, the Bolshoi’s partner in this venture. And now, six years on, it returns to the Bolshoi. Peter Konwitschny’s Flying Dutchman is revived at the Bolshoi by the young German director Nina Gulsdorf. Vassily Sinaisky, Bolshoi Theatre Chief Conductor, is music director and conductor.

Cast
There are two Dutchmen: the Canadian singer Nathan Berg — “this tall, majestic bass is a brilliant actor and a palpable presence on stage” (Financial Times) and the German soloist Wieland Satter, “who has an ideal voice for dramatic roles: a deep bass and lyrical baritone at one and the same time” (Passauer Neue Presse). The American soprano Mardi Byers, who gave a brilliant performance as Marie in the Bolshoi’s production of Wozzeck, will sing Senta, together with Bolshoi Theatre leading soprano, Elena Zelenskaya. Bolshoi Theatre Guest Artist Alexander Teliga and Bolshoi Theatre soloist Nikolai Kazansky will perform the role of Daland. Eric will be interpreted by one of the Bolshoi’s leading tenors, Roman Muravitsky — he sang this part at several first night performances in 2004 -, and Viktor Antipenko, a young soloist who made his Bolshoi Theatre debut last season.

The first series of The Flying Dutchman-2013 performances will be on: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24 October.