Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer Lise Davidsen, Gerald Finlay, Orchestra and Chorus of Norwegian National Opera & Edward Gardner

• Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883): Der fliegende Holländer: Overture:
• 1 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer: Overture 10:09
• Der fliegende Holländer, Act I:
• 2 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Introduction. Hojoje! Hojoje! Hallojo! Ho! – Kein Zweifel! Sieben Meilen fort 04:14
• 3 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Mit Gewitter und Sturm – Von des Südens Gestad' 05:05
• 4 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Die Frist ist um 03:03
• 5 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Wie oft in Meeres tiefsten Schlund 08:06
• 6 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: He! Holla! Steuermann! 04:02
• 7 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Durch Sturm und bösen Wind verschlagen 04:22
• 8 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Wie? Hör' ich recht? Meine Tochter sein Weib? 06:50
• 9 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Südwind! Südwind! 02:00
• 10 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act I: Mit Gewitter und Sturm aus fernem Meer "Sailors' Chorus" 02:15
• Der fliegende Holländer, Act II:
• 11 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Summ und brumm, du gutes Rädchen "Spinning Chorus" 03:31
• 12 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Du böses Kind, wenn du nicht spinnst 04:27
• 13 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Johohoe! Traft ihr das Schiff im Meere an "Senta's Ballad" 06:21
• 14 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Ach, wo weilt sie 01:22
• 15 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Senta! Willst du mich verderben? 01:58
• 16 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Bleib, Senta! Bleib nur einen Augenblick! 08:13
• 17 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Senta! Laß dir vertrau'n 04:51
• 18 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Mein Kind, du siehst mich auf der Schwelle 02:00
• 19 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Mögst du, mein Kind, den fremden Mann willkommen heißen 05:40
• 20 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Wie aus der Ferne längst vergang'ner Zeiten 06:36
• 21 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Wirst du des Vaters Wahl nicht schelten? 05:15
• 22 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Ein heil'ger Balsam meiner Wunden 01:55
• 23 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act II: Verzeiht! Mein Volk hält draußen sich nicht mehr 01:49
• Der fliegende Holländer, Act III:
• 24 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Entracte 00:50
• 25 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Steuermann, laß die Wacht! 02:12
• 26 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Mein! Seht doch an! 06:40
• 27 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Johohoe! Johohoe! Hoe! Hoe! 03:06
• 28 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Was mußt ich hören 02:25
• 29 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Willst jenen Tag du nicht dich mehr entsinnen "Cavatina" 03:20
• 30 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Verloren! Ach, verloren! 02:19
• 31 Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer, Act III: Erfahre das Geschick 05:53
• Total Runtime 02:10:49

Info for Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer

Lise Davidsen has recorded Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer in a live performance at her home opera house, Oslo. Her first full length opera recording on Decca Classics. These live performances were the only time she will ever perform the role of Senta, and this album forms an important part of her future legacy. Gerald Finley stars as The Dutchman, a role in which he has won international acclaim for his superb acting and lieder-like vocal finesse. The concert marked the inauguration of Edward Gardner as the new Music Director at Oslo Opera House.

"This Holländer is drawn from two live concert performances that took place in August 2024 at the Norwegian National Opera in Oslo. The recorded sound is excellent, with little ambient noise and zero applause; you’d never guess it was performed to a full house. With these two performances, British conductor Edward Gardner made an auspicious debut as the new music director of the Norwegian National Opera. He coaxes exciting, big sound from the orchestra which is always lyrical and never bombastic. All in all, one of the very best Wagner opera recordings to emerge in recent years and highly recommended." (LaScena Musicale)

In this performance, Davidsen—described as “one of the greatest vocal talents to have emerged in recent years, if not decades” (Gramophone)—brings her extraordinary artistry to the role of Senta, a part she currently does not plan to sing again. Der fliegende Holländer not only captures a defining moment for Davidsen but also preserves a significant piece of Wagnerian history, with her portrayal of this iconic character set against the dramatic Norwegian fjords that inspired the opera.

Lise Davidsen has quickly become the leading Wagnerian soprano of our time, praised by Opera Now as “a once-in-a-generation Wagnerian” and “a phenomenon in today’s opera world.” She has performed Wagner’s great heroines on the world’s top stages, including Bayreuth, the Met, and Covent Garden, earning a reputation for her powerful voice and deep connection to his music. As Kevin Ng wrote in the Financial Times, she is “the opera world’s next great hope for the big Wagner and Strauss roles.” True dramatic sopranos who can take on these demanding roles are extremely rare, and Davidsen is one of them. This makes her live recording of Der fliegende Holländer, her only-ever performance as Senta, a truly special moment.

Joining Davidsen on this landmark recording is internationally renowned Canadian baritone Gerald Finley, whose portrayal of the Dutchman has been widely celebrated for its lieder-like finesse and emotional depth. The performances were conducted by Edward Gardner, marking his debut as the new Music Director of The Norwegian Opera and Ballet, further underscoring the significance of this production.

Reflecting on the experience, Davidsen shares: “I can never know if it will be my last,” she adds, “but it’s a role I was asked to sing for a long time and waited because I thought it was too demanding. Now I have so many other Wagner roles coming up that it’s unlikely I will sing it again. But I was very grateful to do it like this: in concert, with great friends and colleagues, and to top it off with a recording.” Der fliegende Holländer also serves as a tribute to Wagner’s own experiences in Norway near the town of Sandvika, an hour from where Davidsen was born. The composer’s inspiration for this opera was sparked by a stormy sea voyage along the Norwegian coast in 1839, during which he was struck by the haunting natural acoustics of the fjords—an experience that profoundly shaped the opera’s dramatic atmosphere. The legend of the cursed mariner found new life in Wagner’s hands, shaping the tempestuous music and existential drama of Der fliegende Holländer, first performed in 1843. Wagner was deeply moved by the region’s rugged landscape, describing the fjords’ granite walls and the sailors’ voices as “one of the most remarkable and beautiful impressions of my life.” Speaking about her connection to the role, Davidsen says: “I love that Senta is a dreamer and a believer in so many ways. She has a mission in life, and she’ll do anything for it. That is a human trait I admire deeply.”

An exclusive Decca artist, this will be Lise’s fifth album with the label, following a series of critically acclaimed recordings. Her debut album Decca Classics is proud to announce the release of Der fliegende Holländer, the first full-length opera recording on the label from “the greatest soprano in the world right now” (The Telegraph), Lise Davidsen. Set for release on April 18, 2025, this recording was captured live over two spectacular nights at the opera house in Oslo during the summer of 2024.

In this performance, Davidsen—described as “one of the greatest vocal talents to have emerged in recent years, if not decades” (Gramophone)—brings her extraordinary artistry to the role of Senta, a part she currently does not plan to sing again. Der fliegende Holländer not only captures a defining moment for Davidsen but also preserves a significant piece of Wagnerian history, with her portrayal of this iconic character set against the dramatic Norwegian fjords that inspired the opera.

Lise Davidsen has quickly become the leading Wagnerian soprano of our time, praised by Opera Now as “a once-in-a-generation Wagnerian” and “a phenomenon in today’s opera world.” She has performed Wagner’s great heroines on the world’s top stages, including Bayreuth, the Met, and Covent Garden, earning a reputation for her powerful voice and deep connection to his music. As Kevin Ng wrote in the Financial Times, she is “the opera world’s next great hope for the big Wagner and Strauss roles.” True dramatic sopranos who can take on these demanding roles are extremely rare, and Davidsen is one of them. This makes her live recording of Der fliegende Holländer, her only-ever performance as Senta, a truly special moment.

Joining Davidsen on this landmark recording is internationally renowned Canadian baritone Gerald Finley, whose portrayal of the Dutchman has been widely celebrated for its lieder-like finesse and emotional depth. The performances were conducted by Edward Gardner, marking his debut as the new Music Director of The Norwegian Opera and Ballet, further underscoring the significance of this production.

Reflecting on the experience, Davidsen shares: “I can never know if it will be my last,” she adds, “but it’s a role I was asked to sing for a long time and waited because I thought it was too demanding. Now I have so many other Wagner roles coming up that it’s unlikely I will sing it again. But I was very grateful to do it like this: in concert, with great friends and colleagues, and to top it off with a recording.”

Der fliegende Holländer also serves as a tribute to Wagner’s own experiences in Norway near the town of Sandvika, an hour from where Davidsen was born. The composer’s inspiration for this opera was sparked by a stormy sea voyage along the Norwegian coast in 1839, during which he was struck by the haunting natural acoustics of the fjords—an experience that profoundly shaped the opera’s dramatic atmosphere. The legend of the cursed mariner found new life in Wagner’s hands, shaping the tempestuous music and existential drama of Der fliegende Holländer, first performed in 1843. Wagner was deeply moved by the region’s rugged landscape, describing the fjords’ granite walls and the sailors’ voices as “one of the most remarkable and beautiful impressions of my life.” Speaking about her connection to the role, Davidsen says: “I love that Senta is a dreamer and a believer in so many ways. She has a mission in life, and she’ll do anything for it. That is a human trait I admire deeply.”

An exclusive Decca artist, this will be Lise’s fifth album with the label, following a series of critically acclaimed recordings. Her debut album, Lise Davidsen, featuring works by R. Wagner and R. Strauss, was widely praised: “Throughout the whole album, one marvels at the voice—its easy grandeur and sheer size, its steely focus and security—all well captured by Decca’s engineers.” (Gramophone). This was followed by Beethoven – Wagner – Verdi with the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Sir Mark Elder, which received widespread acclaim: “Davidsen’s supple soprano is bright and full, especially in Beethoven’s Leonore, and her attention to detail is thrilling.” (The Guardian ★★★★). More recently, she released Lise Davidsen – Grieg with Leif Ove Andsnes, showcasing “a vibrant voice and brilliantly polished piano” (The Times ★★★★), as well as Christmas from Norway.

Lise Davidsen, soprano (Senta)
Gerald Finley, bass-baritone (The Dutchman)
Brindley Sherratt, bass (Daland)
Stanislas de Barbeyrac, tenor (Erik)
Anna Kissjudit, mezzo-soprano (Mary)
Eirik Grøtvedt, tenor (Steersman)
Orchestra and Chorus of Norwegian National Opera
Edward Gardner, conductor

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