The Flying Dutchman (Der fliegende Holländer) by Richard Wagner

Cast DALAND, a Norwegian skipper (bass) SENTA, his daughter (soprano) ERIK, a hunter (tenor) MARY, Senta’s nurse (mezzo-soprano) STEERSMAN OF DALAND (tenor) THE DUTCHMAN (baritone) Norwegian Sailors, crew of the Flying Dutchman, maids

OVERTURE Ho! Captain!

ACT ONE DALAND Scene One How’s everything on board?

(A part of the Norwegian coast with steep and STEERSMAN rocky cliffs in the foreground. A violent storm is All’s well, Captain. We’re safe afloat. raging out to sea but between the rocks it is calmer except for intermittent squalls. Daland, DALAND the Norwegian captain, has just anchored his Sandwike it is. I know the bay well. ship close to the shore and the sailors are busy Confound it! On shore I saw my home. furling sails, throwing out ropes, etc. Daland has Senta, my child, I seemed to embrace: gone ashore; he has scaled a cliff in an attempt then this devilish gale blew up! to recognize the country inland.) Who trusts the wind, trusts Satan’s mercy! (going aboard) SAILORS What’s the good? Patience! (at work) The storm is abating; Hojohe! Hallojo! Raging so, it cannot last. Hojohe! Hallojo! Ho! He! (on board) Ho! He! Ja! Ho! Hallojo! Ho, lads! Your watch was long. Ho! Johe! Hallohe! Hallohe! Rest now! I have no fear! DALAND (The Sailors go below) Now, helmsman, you’ll take the watch for me? (descending to the shore) There’s no danger but you’d better stay awake. No doubt! Seven miles the storm has blown us from the safety of port. STEERSMAN So near our goal after a long voyage Rest easy! Sleep in peace. Captain! and now this ill-luck! (Daland goes into his cabin. The Steersman is STEERSMAN alone on deck. The storm has somewhat abated; (on board, shouting through cupped hands) it returns only at sporadic intervals; on the open 2 sea the waves are still rough. The steersman Dutchman furl the sails. The Dutchman goes makes his round once more, then sits down near ashore, wearing black Spanish clothing.) the rudder. He yawns, then rouses himself as sleep comes over him.) Scene Two

STEERSMAN DUTCHMAN In gale and storm from far-off seas, The time is up and seven more years my maiden, I am near you! have gone. Weary of it the sea casts me up Over towering waves from the south, on land. Ha! Proud ocean! my maiden, I am here! Soon you shall bear me again! My maiden, were there no southwind, Your spite is fitful, but my torment is eternal! I could never come to you! The grace I seek on land never Ah, dear south-wind, blow stronger! shall I find! To you, ocean-tides, My maiden longs for me! I shall be true, until your last wave Hohojo! Hallohoho! breaks, and you are drained dry. Jollohohoho! Hohoje! How often into the sea’s deepest maw Hallohoho! ho ho ho ho ho ho! have I longingly hurled myself, yet death, ah, I found it not! (A wave rises, violently shaking the ship. The There, in the awful tomb of ships, steersman starts up and looks around; having I drove mine on to the rocks, satisfied himself that no harm has been done, he but alas, no tomb closed over me! sits down again near the helm and sings, while Mockingly, I defied the pirate, sleep gradually overcomes him. He yawns.) in fierce combat I hoped for death. Here — I cried — Show your prowess. STEERSMAN With treasure my ship is filled. On southern shores, in far-off lands Alas, the sea’s barbarous son I thought of you! crossed himself in terror and fled! Through storms and sea, from Moroccan coast Nowhere a grave! Never death! I have brought you something. This is damnation’s dread command! My maiden, praise the south-wind, I bring you a golden ring. You I ask, blessed angel of God, Ah, dear south-wind, blow stronger! who won for me the terms of my salvation, My maiden would like the trinket. was I the sorry plaything of your scorn, Hoho! Je! Holla ho! when you showed me the way to redemption? Vain hope! Terrible, futile folly! (He struggles with his fatigue and finally falls There is no eternal fidelity on earth! asleep. The storm begins to rage violently again: Only one hope is left to me, it grows darker. In the distance appears the ship only one that is undestroyed: of the Flying Dutchman, with blood-red sails and while Earth’s seeds long may thrive black masts. She rapidly nears the shore, on the yet one day it must end too! side opposite the Norwegian ship. With a fearful Day of Judgment! Day of Doom! crash she drops anchor. The Steersman starts up When will you dawn and end my night? from his sleep; without leaving his place he When will resound the crack of doom, glances hastily at the beginning of his song.) rending the earth asunder? When all the dead rise up, STEERSMAN then shall I fade into the void. My maiden, were there no south-wind... Worlds, end your course! Eternal destruction, take me! (He falls asleep once more. Silently, and without the slightest sound, the spectral crew of the 3

THE DUTCHMAN’S CREW DUTCHMAN (from the hold) (without changing his position) Eternal destruction, take us! I come from afar: would you deny me anchorage in this storm? Scene Three DALAND (Daland comes out on deck, he takes [the God forbid! direction] of the wind and notices the foreign A sailor is always hospitable! ship.) (going ashore) Who are you? DALAND (looking around for the steersman) DUTCHMAN Hey there! Steersman! A Dutchman.

STEERSMAN DALAND (half rising, still dazed with sleep) God’s greeting! So the storm drove you too It’s nothing! It’s nothing! on this barren rocky beach? “Ah, dear south-wind, blow stronger, I was no luckier: only a few miles my maiden...” from here is my home: I was almost there when I had to turn about. Say, DALAND where are you from? Are you damaged? (shaking the steersman) You see nothing? — DUTCHMAN Fine watch you keep, don’t you, lad? My ship is strong, she is undamaged. There lies a ship. — Driven on by storm and ill winds How long have you been asleep? I rove the seas - how long, I can hardly tell; STEERSMAN I no longer count the years. (starting up quickly) It is impossible to name Devil take it! Pardon me, Captain! all the lands that I have found: (He takes a megaphone and calls across) the only one I long for Who are you? I cannot find — my homeland! (Echo is heard; long pause) Grant me a short stay in your house, Who are you? and you won’t regret your friendship. (Long pause. Echo is heard again) With treasures from every land and zone DALAND my ship is richly laden, if you’ll agree, They seem just as lazy as we are. you’ll profit by it.

STEERSMAN DALAND (as before) How wonderful! Can I believe you? Answer! Your ship and flag? Ill-luck seems to have dogged you. To help you I’ll offer what I can: DALAND but — may I ask what your ship holds? (seeing the Dutchman on shore) Wait! I think I see the Captain. DUTCHMAN (calling the Dutchman) (making a sign to his crew, two of whom bring a Ahoy there! Sailor! Your name! chest ashore) Where are you from? The rarest treasures you shall see, (Long pause) costly pearls, precious stones. 4

(He opens the chest.) I shall never reach my homeland, Look and satisfy yourself of the value what good to me is gain of wealth? of what I offer for a friendly roof. Just consent to our union, then take my treasure! DALAND (looking at the contents of the chest in utter DALAND astonishment) Yes, stranger, I have a lovely daughter, What? Is it possible? This treasure! devoted to me with the true love of a child: Who’s rich enough to give a price for it? she is my pride, my greatest blessing, my comfort in misfortune, my joy in success. DUTCHMAN The price? I have just named it: DUTCHMAN all this for one night’s shelter! May she always love her father: Yet what you see is but the smallest part True to him, she’ll be true to her husband, too. of what is stowed in my ship’s hold. What use is treasure? DALAND I have neither wife nor child, You give jewels, priceless pearls, and my home I shall never find! but the peerless gem, a true wife... All my riches I offer you, if you give me a new home with your family. DUTCHMAN You give to me? DALAND What do I hear? DALAND I give you my word. DUTCHMAN I am moved by your grim fate; Have you a daughter? generous as you are you show a noble heart and mind: DALAND I would like my son-in-law so; and were you Indeed I have, a good child. not so rich, I’d still choose no other.

DUTCHMAN DUTCHMAN Let her be my wife! My thanks! Shall I see your daughter today?

DALAND DALAND (joyfully taken aback) The first fair wind will take us home, What? Did I hear aright? you shall see her, and if you like her... My daughter his wife? It is his own suggestion! DUTCHMAN I almost fear that if I hesitate She shall be mine... he may change his mind. (aside) I don’t know if I am awake or dreaming. Will she be my angel? Can there be a more welcome son-in-law? When from my terrible anguish I’d be a fool to miss this chance! my longing for grace drives me on, I’m delighted with my luck! dare I cling to the one hope left to me? Dare I cherish the idle fancy DUTCHMAN that an angel may pity me? Ah, no wife, no child have I, Of the torments that bemuse my brain, nothing chains me to this Earth! have I at last reached the end? A pitiless fate pursues me, Ah, without hope, as I am, torment was my only companion. I still give in to hope! 5

DALAND DUTCHMAN Praised be the violent storm It’ll blow from the south a long time! which drove me to this shore! My ship is fast, we’ll overtake you for sure. Truly, I have only to grasp what he so generously gives me. DALAND You winds who brought him to this coast, You think so? Maybe. I bless you! Farewell! You may still see my daughter today. Ha, what all fathers seek, a rich son-in-law, is mine! DUTCHMAN Yes, to a man so rich and noble, Surely! I gladly give my house and daughter. DALAND STEERSMAN (boarding his ship) (on board) Ha! How the sails swell already! South-wind, south-wind! Hallo! Hallo! (He gives a signal on his whistle.) SAILORS Come on, boys, set to! (waving their caps) Halloho! SAILORS (exultantly, as they sail away) STEERSMAN In gales and storm from far-off seas, Ah, dear south-wind, blow stronger! my maiden, I am near you! Hurrah! Over towering waves from the south, SAILORS my maiden, I am here! Hurrah! Hohohe! Halloho! My maiden, were there no south-wind, Hallo ho ho ho ho! I could never come to you. Ah, dear south-wind, blow stronger! DALAND My maiden longs for me! You see, fortune favors you. (exultantly, as they sail away) The wind’s set fair, the sea is calm. Hohoho! Johoho! We’ll weigh anchor now Hohohohoho! and speedily sail for home. (The Dutchman goes aboard his ship)

DUTCHMAN Can I ask you to sail on ahead? The wind is fresh but my crew are weary. ACT TWO I’ll give a short rest and follow on. Scene One SAILORS (A large room in Daland’s house; on the walls Ho! Ho! Hallohe! are pictures of ships, maps, etc. On the back wall Hallohe! Hallohohe! hangs a portrait of a man with pale face and dark beard, wearing a black cloak. Mary and the girls STEERSMAN are seated round the stove, spinning. Senta, Hallohe! Hallohe! leaning back in an old-fashioned armchair, is lost in dreamy contemplation of the portrait on DALAND the wall.) But our wind? GIRLS Hum and buzz, good wheel, gaily, gaily turn! 6

Spin, spin a thousand threads, GIRLS good wheel, hum and buzz! She has no need to hurry; My love is out at sea, her sweetheart’s not at sea. he thinks of home He brings no gold, but game, and his true maid; we know well what a hunter’s worth. my good wheel, hum and sing! Ah, if you drove the wind, (They laugh. Senta, without changing her he’d soon be here. position, softly hums a theme from the ballad Spin! Spin! Spin! which follows later.) Set to, girls! Buzz! Hum! MARY Good wheel! Look! Always in front of that picture! — Tralaralalalala! (to Senta) Do you want to dream away MARY your whole young life before that portrait? Aha! Work away! How busily they spin! Each wants to win a sweetheart! SENTA (without changing her position) GIRLS Why did you tell me? Mistress Mary, hush! You know quite well Why did you tell me the story about him? the song is not yet finished. (sighing) The poor man! MARY Then sing! It keeps the wheel at work. — MARY (to Senta) God be with you! But you, Senta, not a word? GIRLS GIRLS Aha! What do we hear! Hum and buzz, good wheel, She sighs for the pale man! gaily, gaily turn! Spin, spin a thousand threads, MARY good wheel, hum and buzz! She’s lost her head over him. My love out there at sea, in the South GIRLS has won much gold; You see what a picture can do! ah, good wheel, turn faster! MARY He’ll give it to his girl It’s no use though I grumble daily! if she spins well. Come, Senta! Turn around! Spin! Spin! Work away, girls! GIRLS Buzz! Hum! She can’t hear you — she’s in love! Good wheel! Oh! Oh! Let’s hope there’ll be no quarrel, Tralaralalalala! for Erik is very hot-blooded - may he do no violence! MARY Say nothing or, mad with rage, (to Senta) he’ll shoot his rival off the wall! You naughty girl, if you don’t spin, (They laugh) you’ll get no gift from your sweetheart. 7

SENTA GIRLS (starting up angrily) Stop the spinning-wheels! Oh, stop your silly laughing! Do you want to make me really angry? MARY (crossly) GIRLS I’ll spin on! (Interrupting Senta with comic fervor, meanwhile turning their spinning-wheels (Having put their spinning-wheels aside, the girls violently and very loudly as if give Senta no move their seats nearer to the armchair and opportunity of scolding them) group themselves round Senta. Mary remains Hum and buzz, good wheel, sitting by the hearth and continues her spinning.) gaily, gaily turn! Spin, spin a thousand threads, SENTA good wheel, hum and buzz! (in the armchair)

SENTA (BALLAD) (jumping up angrily) I. Oh, stop that stupid song, Johohoe! Johohohoe! it hums and buzzes in my ears! Hohohoe! Johoe! If you want me with you, Have you met the ship at sea think of something better! with blood-red sails and black mast? GIRLS On the high deck, the pale man, Very well! You sing! the master of the ship, keeps endless watch. Hui! How the wind howls — Yohohey! SENTA Hui! How it whistles in the rigging, Yohohey! Hear what I propose: Hui! Like an arrow he flies, Let Mistress Mary sing us the ballad. without aim, without rest, without peace! But redemption may one day MARY come to the pale man, God forbid! I could not! if he but find a woman on earth true unto death. Leave the Flying Dutchman in peace! Oh, when will you find her, wan mariner? Pray to Heaven that soon a woman SENTA will stay true to him! Yet I have often heard it from you! (Towards the end of the stanza Senta turns to the picture. The girls listen attentively; Mary MARY has stopped spinning.) God forbid! I could not! II. SENTA I’ll sing it myself! Listen, girls! In bitter gale and raging storm, Let me appeal to your hearts, he once tried to round a cape; the poor man’s fate will surely move you! he cursed, in mad fury, and swore: “Never will I give up!” GIRLS Hui! And Satan heard it! Yohohey! All right, let’s hear it. Hui! Took him at his word! Yohohey! Hui! And, damned, he now roams SENTA the sea without rest or peace! Mark well the words. But the poor man may still find salvation on earth 8 for an angel of God showed him how MARY one day he might be redeemed. I feel my blood curdling! Ah, wan mariner, could you but find it! Horrible portrait, out you go Pray to Heaven that soon as soon as her father comes home! a woman will stay true to him! ERIK GIRLS (gloomily) Ah, wan mariner, could you but find it! Pray to Heaven! Her father’s coming now!

SENTA SENTA (continues with ever-increasing agitation) (who has remained in her last position, oblivious of everything, starts up joyfully, as if III. awaking) My father’s coming? At anchor every seven years, a wife to woo he goes ashore: ERIK he wooed every seven years, From the cliff I saw his ship approaching. but never a true wife he found. Hui! “Hoist sails!” Yohohey! GIRLS Hui! “Weigh anchor!” Yohohey! (joyfully) Hui “False love, false faith! They’re home! They’re home! Back to sea, without rest or peace!” (Senta, overcome by her emotion, sinks back in MARY her chair) Now see what a fine state we’re in! No work is done in the house yet! GIRLS (after a pause, continue the song softly) GIRLS Ah, where is she whom the angel of God They’re home! Hurry, let’s go! someday may show to you? Where will you meet her who will be your own MARY true love unto death? (detaining the girls) Stop! Stop! You just stay indoors! SENTA The crew will come with empty stomachs. (seized with a sudden inspiration, springs up To work in kitchen and cellar! from her chair) It is I who will save you with my true love! GIRLS May God’s angel show me to you! Oh! I’ve so much to ask him! Through me you shall find grace! I cannot check my curiosity.

MARY AND GIRLS MARY (starting up in terror) You’ll have to curb your curiosity - Heaven help us! Senta! Senta! your duties come first!

ERIK GIRLS (entering, has heard Senta’s final words) All right! Once the food is served, Senta, do you wish to destroy me? we’ll have no more to do! (Mary drives the girls from the room and GIRLS follows them.) Help us, Erik! She’s out of her mind! 9

Scene Two you gave me, this madness of love? Oh, listen to me here and now, (Senta is also at the point of leaving when Erik hear my last question: — detains her.) in this heart of mine breaks with grief, will it be Senta who speaks for me? ERIK Stay, Senta! Stay but a moment! SENTA Free me of my torment! Or if you wish, What? You doubt my heart? oh then destroy me completely! You doubt my affection for you? Tell me, what gives you such pain? SENTA What has made you sad and suspicious? (hesitantly) What is...? What must...? ERIK Your father, oh, he thinks only of wealth! ERIK And you, Senta, how far can I rely on you? Oh, Senta, say, what is to become of me? Have you ever granted a wish of mine? Your father is home, before he sails again, Do you not wound my heart each day? he will do what he has often wanted to. SENTA SENTA Your heart? What do you mean? ERIK ERIK What am I to think? That picture... Give you a husband! I offer a heart true unto death, SENTA a few poor possessions, a hunter’s lot: — The picture? Can I ask for your hand as I am? Won’t your father refuse me? ERIK If then my heart with sorrow breaks, Can’t you forget your mad infatuation? tell me, Senta, who will speak for me? SENTA SENTA Can I help it if my face shows my pity? Ah, say no more now, Erik. Let me go out to greet my father! ERIK If his daughter does not go aboard as usual, And the ballad, you sang it again today! he’ll be angry, won’t he? SENTA ERIK I am a child and know not what I sing. So you run from me? What? Do you fear a song, a picture?

SENTA ERIK I must go to the harbor. You are so pale, tell me, Why should I not fear it? ERIK You shun me? SENTA Ought I not to be moved by the poor man’s SENTA dreadful fate? Oh, let me go! ERIK ERIK Doesn’t my anguish move you more, Senta? You shrink from this wound 10

SENTA ERIK Oh, don’t boast! What can your anguish be? (pointing to the portrait) Do you know the fate of that unhappy man? That sailor, he. (She leads Erik to the picture and show it to him.) SENTA And I? Do you feel the pain, the deep grief with which he looks down on me? ERIK Ah, the evil that robbed him forever of his peace You came from the house, pierces my heart! raced to greet your father. I saw you just as you reached them, ERIK you fell at the stranger’s feet, Alas! I recall my baleful dream! I saw you clasp his knees... God defend you! Satan has ensnared you! SENTA SENTA (with growing excitement) What alarms you so? He raised me up...

ERIK ERIK Senta! Please believe me: to his breast; I had a dream! Heed its warning! ardently you clung to him (Senta, exhausted, sit down in the armchair; at and kissed him with hot desire... the beginning of Erik’s narration she falls into a trance-like sleep, so that she appears to be SENTA dreaming the dream being related to her. Erik And then? stands at her side, leaning against the chair.) ERIK ERIK (looking at her On a high cliff I lay dreaming, in astonishment) saw the angry sea beneath me! I saw you two sail away. I heard the breakers as the foaming waters dashed in fury upon the shore. SENTA An alien ship near the coast (awaking suddenly, in the utmost rapture) I saw, strange and mysterious; He is looking for me. I must see him! two men were coming ashore, I recognized one as your father. ERIK Horrible! It is all clear now! SENTA (her eyes closed) SENTA The other? With him must I perish!

ERIK ERIK I knew him well, She is lost! My dream spoke true! with his black doublet, pallid face... (Erik rushes away in despair and terror. Senta, after her outburst of excitement remains where SENTA she is, sunk in silent meditation, her eyes fixed (as before) on the portrait.) and gloomy mien... SENTA (softly but with deep emotion) 11

Ah, may you find her, pale seaman! (The Dutchman makes a gesture of assent.) Pray to Heaven that soon a woman will be true... DALAND (to Senta) (The door is opened. Daland and the Dutchman Will you, my child, be friendly to this man? enter.) From your heart he asks too a gracious gift: give him your hand, Scene Three for bridegroom you shall call him: agree with your father and tomorrow (The Dutchman is just entered and Senta’s gaze he is your husband. sweeps from the portrait to the Dutchman... She uttes a cry of astonishment and remains as if (Senta makes a convulsive movement of pain. spellbound, without taking her eyes off him. The Daland produces some jewelry and shows it to Dutchman, his eyes fixed on Senta, comes slowly Senta.) forward.) See this bracelet, these clasps! DALAND This is nothing to what he owns. My child, you see me on the threshold. Surely you want them, dear child? What? No embrace? No kiss? It is all yours when you exchange rings. You stand as if bewitched. (He sees that neither Senta nor the Dutchman Senta, do I deserve such a greeting? are paying any attention to him.) But neither speaks... Do I intrude? SENTA Yes. Better leave them alone. (As Daland comes up to her, she grasps his (to Senta) hand.) May you win this fine man! God greet you! Believe me, such luck never comes twice. (drawing him closer to her) (to the Dutchman) Father, tell me, Stay here alone! I am going. who is the stranger? Believe me, she is as true as she is fair. DALAND (Daland slowly goes out, leaving Senta and the (laughing) Dutchman rapt in contemplation of each other. You really want to know? Senta and the Dutchman are alone.) My child, bid this stranger welcome! A seaman he is, like me, he asks to be our guest. DUTCHMAN Long homeless, always sailing far and wide, (deeply moved) in foreign lands he has won rich treasure. As from the mist of times long gone Exiled from his homeland, this girl’s image speaks to me: he’ll pay well for a hearth. as I dreamt of her for restless ages, Tell me, Senta, would it vex you I see her now before my eyes. if this stranger lodged with us? I have often lifted my eyes at dead of night, (Senta nods her assent to the suggestion.) longing for a wife. Satan’s spite left me but a pounding heart DALAND to remind me of my torment. (turns to the Dutchman) The dull glow I feel burning here, Now, did I overpraise her? can I in my misery call it love? You see her yourself — do you approve? Ah, no! It is a yearning for redemption: Need I lavish more praise? would that through such an angel it came true! Admit it, she adorns her sex! 12

SENTA DUTCHMAN Am I deep in a wonderful dream? Ah, if you realized the fate What I see, is it mere fancy? that then you would share with me, Have I been till now in some false world, it would warn you of the sacrifice is my day of awakening dawning? you make for me, if you swear to be true to me. He stands before me, Your young soul would flee in horror his face lined with suffering, from the ruin to which you condemn it, it reveals his terrible grief to me: without woman’s noblest virtue, can deep pity’s voice lie to me? without eternal fidelity. As I have often seen him, here he stands. The pain that burns within my breast, SENTA ah, this longing, how shall I name it? I well know woman’s sacred duty, What you yearn for, salvation, take heart, then, unhappy man! would it came true, poor man, through me! Let destiny judge me who can defy its sentence! DUTCHMAN In the sheer purity of my heart (drawing slightly, near to Senta) I know what loyalty most demands. Do you agree with your father’s choice? To whom I show it, I give it all, What he promised, say, can I count on it? true love till death! Could you give yourself to me forever and offer your hand to a stranger? DUTCHMAN Shall I, after a life of anguish, (in exaltation) find in your loyalty my long-sought rest? A holy balm for my wounds springs from this solemn oath. SENTA Hear me: my deliverance I have found, Whoever you are, whatever the evil lot you powers that have repulsed me! which cruel fate has meted out to you - The star of my evil fate shall fail, and whatever the future holds in store for me, light of my hope, shine anew! I shall always obey my father! You angels who once abandoned me, strengthen now this heart in faith! DUTCHMAN What? So unhesitating? Have you SENTA such deep pity for my suffering? By mighty magic overcome, I am swept to his rescue: SENTA here may he find a home, (aside) here may he ship anchor safe in port! Oh, what suffering! Could I but console you! What stirs so strongly within me? What fills my heart with rapture? DUTCHMAN Almighty God, may the source of my exaltation (overhearing her) be the strength of my true love. What a sweet sound in the murky tumult! You are an angel! An angel’s love DALAND can comfort even a lost soul! (re-entering) Ah, if I can still hope for redemption, Forgive me! Eternal God, may it come through her! My people will stay outside no longer. After each voyage, you know, we have a feast. SENTA To grace the occasion, I have come to ask Ah, if he can still hope for redemption, if you agree to the betrothal. Eternal God, may it come through me! (to the Dutchman) 13

I think you courted to your heart’s desire? Ho! Hey! Ye! Ha! (to Senta) Steersman, drink with us! Senta, my child, say, are you willing? Ho! Hey! Ye! Ha! Rocks and storms, hey! SENTA Are over, hey! (with solemn resolution) Hussahey! Hallohey! Here is my hand! And without regret Hussahey! Steersman! Ho! till death I vow to be true! Here, come and drink with us! (They dance on the deck, accompanying the DUTCHMAN down-beat of each bar with a heavy stamp of the She gives her hand! You are feet.) mocked, Hell, by her true love! GIRLS DALAND (They arrive, carrying baskets of food and You will not regret this union! drink.) To the feast! Today shall everyone rejoice! Well! Just look! Dancing, indeed! They don’t seem to need us girls! (They go towards the Dutch ship)

ACT THREE SAILORS Scene One Hey! Girls! Stop! Where are you going? (A cove with a rocky beach. In the foreground, to GIRLS one side, is Daland’s house. In the background, You’ve a taste for cool wine? moored fairly close to each other, are the Your neighbors there shall have some too! Norwegian and Dutch ships. It is a clear night. Is the food and drink for you alone? The Norwegian ship is lit up and the sailors are making merry on the deck. In sinister contrast, STEERSMAN the Dutch ship is shrouded in unnatural gloom Right! Take it to the poor lads! and deathly silence.) They must be faint with thirst!

NORWEGIAN SAILORS SAILORS Steersman, leave your watch! We can’t hear them. Steersman, join us! Ho! Hey! Je! Ha! STEERSMAN Hoist the sails! Anchor fast! Oh, just look! Steersman, here! No light! No sign of the crew! We fear no wind nor treacherous coast. Today we’ll be right merry! GIRLS Each has his girl ashore, (on the point of going aboard the Dutchman’s grand tobacco and good brandy! ship) Hussassahey! Hey! Sailors! Do you want torches? Rocks and storms outside — Where are you then? We can see nothing. yollohohey! SAILORS We laugh at them! (laughing) Hussassahey! Hahaha! Don’t wake them up! Furl sails! Anchor fast! They’re still asleep! Rocks and storms we laugh at them! Steersman, leave your watch! Steersman, join us! 14

GIRLS Yes, it is true! They seem dead. (shouting to the ship) They’ve no need of food and drink. Hey! Sailors! Hey! Answer then! (Complete silence) SAILORS (cheerfully) SAILORS You know of the Flying Dutchman! (mockingly, with affected sorrow) The ship you see there is exactly like his! Haha! Truly, they are dead: thay have no need of food and drink! GIRLS (as before) GIRLS Then don’t wake the crew; Hey, Sailors, are you already lying they are ghosts, we swear! snug in your bunks? No feasting for you today? SAILORS How many centuries have you been at sea? SAILORS Storms and rocks can do you no harm! (as before) They’re lying low, sitting tight, GIRLS like dragons guarding their treasure. They don’t drink! They don’t sing! No light burns on their ship! GIRLS Hey, sailors! Don’t you want some wine? SAILORS Surely you must be thirsty, too! Have you no letter, no errand for people ashore? We’ll deliver them to our great-grandfathers! SAILORS They don’t drink, they don’t sing; GIRLS no light burns on their ship. They must be old and pale, not red-blooded! And their sweethearts, alas, are dead! GIRLS Say! Haven’t you sweethearts ashore? SAILORS Don’t you want to dance with them on the (noisily) pleasant beach? Hey, seamates! Set your sails and show us the Flying Dutchman’s speed! SAILORS They must be old and pale, not red-blooded! GIRLS And their sweethearts are dead! (frightened, retreating from the Dutch ship) They don’t hear! Gives you the creeps here! GIRLS They don’t want anything — so why call to (calling loudly) them? Hey! Sailors! Sailors! Wake up! We bring you food and drink in plenty! SAILORS You girls, let the dead rest! SAILORS Let us, the living, enjoy ourselves! (reinforcing them) Hey! Seamates! Seamates! Wake up! GIRLS (Long silence) (handing the basket aboard to the Norwegian crew) GIRLS Here! Your neighbor has spurned it. (disconcerted and fearful) 15

STEERSMAN Steersman, join us! What? Aren’t you coming aboard? Ho! Hey! Ye! Ha! Steersman, here! Drink with us! SAILORS Rocks and storms, ha! What? Aren’t you coming aboard? Are over, hey! Hussahey! Hallohey! GIRLS Hussahey! Steersman! Ho! Oh, not just yet! It’s not late. Ho! Hey! Ye! Ha! We’ll come back soon. You drink up, Here, come and drink with us! and if you want to dance as well, but let your weary neighbors rest! (The sea, which everywhere else remains calm, (exeunt) has begun to rise in the neighborhood of the Dutch ship; a dull blue flame flares up like a SAILORS watchfire. A storm wind whistles through the (opening and emptying the baskets) rigging. The crew, hitherto invisible, bestir Hurrah! There’s plenty here! themselves.) Dear neighbors, thank you! THE DUTCHMAN’S CREW STEERSMAN Yohohoeh! Yohohohoeh! Everyone fill his glass to the brim! Hojohohoeh! Hoeh! Hoeh! Hoeh! Our good neighbors send us drink! Huissa! The storms sweeps ashore, SAILORS Huissa! Hallohohoho! Hallohohoho! Furl sails! Anchor away! Good neighbors, if you’ve voice and speech, Huissa! wake up and follow our example! Run for the bay! (There is a faint sign of life aboard the Dutch Somber Captain, go ashore, ship.) seven years are over! Seek the fair maid’s hand! SAILORS Fair maid, be true to him! (laughing) Be merry today, hui! Wake up! Wake up! A bridegroom, hui! Up and follow our example! The stormwind howls bridal-music (They noisily clink their cups.) and the ocean dances to it! Hussa! Hui! Hark, he whistles! Steersman, leave your watch! Captain, here again? Steersman, join us! Hui! Hoist sail! Ho! Hey! Ye! Ha! But your bride, say, where is she? Hoist the sails! Anchor fast! Hui! Back to sea! Steersman, here! Captain! Captain! You’re unlucky in love! We watched many a night in storm and terror, Hahaha! we often drank the sea’s brine: Scream, storm-wind, howl! today we watch, carousing and feasting, Leave our sails alone! and the girls give us Satan has blessed them, a better drink from the cask. and they will not rend. Hussassahey! Rocks and storms, outside! Hohoeh! Hoeh! Never! Yollohohey! We laugh at them! Hussassahey! Furl sails! Anchor fast! (In the meantime the Dutch ship tosses to and Rocks and storms we laugh at them! from in the raging waters, with a gale howling in Steersman, leave your watch! 16

the rigging. Yet, everywhere else, the sea and sky ERIK are calm.) Oh, this obedience, as blind as your act! You welcomed your father’s suggestion, NORWEGIAN SAILORS and with one blow broke my heart! (who have watched and listened first with astonishment, then with terror) SENTA What a shanty! Are they spooks? Makes the (as before) flesh creep! No more! No more! I must never see you again, Strike up our song! Sing it loud! nor think of you: a noble duty decrees it. Steersman, leave your watch! etc. ERIK THE DUTCHMAN’S CREW What noble duty? Isn’t it nobler to keep Huissa! the vow you once made to me of eternal true Yohohoeh! Yohohohoeh! love? Scream, storm-wind, howl! etc. SENTA (The Dutch crew interrupt with sinister cries and (frightened) finally their chorus silences the Norwegian What? Did I ever vow to be always true to you? sailors who, terror-stricken, leave the deck and go below making the sign of the Cross. The ERIK ghostly crew burst into mocking laughter: ha ha (sorrowfully) ha ha ha ha! Whereupon gloom and silence once Senta, oh Senta, you deny it? more envelop their ship and the surrounding sea) Don’t you remember the day when you called me to you in the valley? Scene Two When to get highland flowers for you, I bravely took countless risks? (Senta hurries from the house followed by Erik Do you recall how on a steep cliff in great agitation.) we saw your father leave the shore? He sailed on a white-winged ship ERIK and to my protection he entrusted you. What I heard! God, what I saw! And when you twined your arms Is it an illusion? The truth? A fact? around my neck, SENTA didn’t you declare your love anew? (turning away, painfully moved) The rapture I felt at the touch of your hand, Oh, do not ask! I dare not answer! say, wasn’t that assurance of your true love? (The Dutchman has overheard the previous ERIK scene and now wildly rushes forward.) Merciful God! It is true beyond doubt. What unholy power tore you from me? DUTCHMAN What force seduced you so rapidly, Lost! Ah, lost! Redemption lost forever! to cruelly break this truest heart? ERIK Your father — ha, he brought the bridegroom; (recoiling in terror) I know him well, I expected this to happen! What do I see? God! But you — is it possible — offer your hand to a man who has hardly crossed your threshold! DUTCHMAN Senta, farewell! SENTA (struggling with herself) No more! Say no more! I must, I must! 17

SENTA You did vow to be true but (barring his way) not solemnly before God: this saves you! Wait, unhappy man! For know, poor girl, the fate awaiting those who break faith with me: ERIK eternal damnation is their lot! (to Senta) Countless victims have paid this penalty What are you going to do? through me! But you shall be saved. Farewell! DUTCHMAN Farewell forever to my salvation! To sea! To sea! Forever! (to Senta) ERIK Your pledge is ended, (in fearful terror, calling to the house and the and with your pledge, my hope of grace! ship) Farewell, I’ll not ruin you! Help! Save, oh, save her!

ERIK SENTA Horrible! That look in his eyes! (checking the Dutchman) I know you well! And well I know your fate! SENTA I knew you when first I saw you! (holding the Dutchman back) The end of your torment is near! I am she Wait! You shall never flee from here! by whose true love you shall find salvation!

DUTCHMAN ERIK (giving a shrill blast on his whistle and shouting Help her! She is lost! to his crew) (At Erik’s cry for help, Daland, Mary and the Hoist sails! Weigh anchor! girls have hurried from the house, and the Say farewell to land forever! sailors from the ship.) Away to sea again I’m driven! I doubt you just as I doubt God! MARY, DALAND, GIRLS, SAILORS Dead, dead is all faith! What do I see! What you promised was a jest to you! DUTCHMAN SENTA (to Senta) Ha! do you doubt my true love? You do not know me, cannot guess who I am!! Unhappy man, why are you so blind? (He points to his ship, whose red sails are Stay! Do not regret our bond! spread and whose crew, in ghostly activity, are What I promised, I will fulfit! preparing for departure.) Ask the seas around the globe, ask ERIK the seaman who has sailed the ocean. What do I hear! God, what is this I see? He knows this ship, the terror of all devout men: Am I to trust my ears, my eyes? the Flying Dutchman they call me! Senta! Do you want to perish? Come to me! You are in Satan’s clutches! (The Dutchman rushes aboard his ship which instantly heads out to sea. Senta tries to follow DUTCHMAN him but is held back by Daland and Erik.) Hear of the destiny from which I defend you! I am condemned to the most ghastly fate. CREW OF THE DUTCHMAN A ten-fold death would be a long awaited joy! (weighing anchor) From the curse a woman alone can free me, Yohohoeh! Yohohohoeh! Hojohohoeh! a woman true to me till death. Hoeh! Hoeh! Hoeh! Huissa! 18

MARY, DALAND, ERIK, GIRLS, SAILORS Senta! Senta! What are you doing?

SENTA (tears herself free and rushes to a rock overhanging the sea. From there she calls after the departing Dutchman.) Praise your angel and his edict! Here I stand, true to you unto death!

(She leaps into the sea; at once the Dutch ship sinks with all her crew. The sea heaves and falls in a whirlpool. In the glow of the rising sun, the transfigured forms of the Dutchman and Senta, clasped in each other’s arms, are seen rising over the wreck and soaring into the sky.)

Curtain

Libretto by Richard Wagner