The story of The Flying Dutchman drew from Wagner a psychological perception that, combined with his orchestral mastery, created a powerful unity between music, words and drama. It was this work that stimulated the potential for his radically new kind of music theatre. Jaap van Zweden is the musical director for this performance and the title role is taken by Irish-American baritone Brian Mulligan, who is in high demand worldwide as a dramatic baritone, performing with many of the world's finest opera houses and orchestras and possessing ‘a voice that is rich, secure and really, really big.’ (The New York Times)