' When he was in Paris, the stress of poverty compelled him
to treat the sketch, which he had made for a libretto, as a marketable
asset. This he sold to a now forgotten composer named Dietsch, who wrote
an opera upon the subject, which failed completely. The disappearance of
this work left Wagner's hands free once more, and some years later he
returned _con amore_ to his original idea. 'Der Fliegende Hollaender' was
produced at Dresden in 1843.
The legend of the Flying Dutchman is, of course, an old one. The idea of
the world-wearied wanderer driven from shore to shore in the vain search
for peace and rest dates from Homer. Heine was the first to introduce
the motive of the sinner's redemption through the love of a faithful
woman, which was still further elaborated by Wagner, and really forms
the basis of his drama. The opera opens in storm and tempest. The ship
of Daland, a Norwegian mariner, has just cast anchor at a wild and
rugged spot upon the coast not far from his own home, where his daughter
Senta is awaiting him. He can do nothing but wait for fair weather, and
goes below, leaving his steersman to keep watch. The lad drops asleep,
singing of his home, and through the darkness the gloomy vessel of the
Dutchman is seen approaching with its blood-red sails. The Dutchman
anchors his ship close to the Norwegian barque, and steps ashore. Seven
years have passed since he last set foot upon earth, and he comes once
more in search of a true woman who will sacrifice herself for his
salvation, for this alone can free him from the curse under which he
suffers.
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