Washington National Opera Presents THE FLYING DUTCHMAN Revival at the Kennedy Center Opera House, 3/7

Washington National Opera (WNO) continues its 2014-2015 season with a revival of Richard Wagner's mythical tale of love and redemption on the high seas-The Flying Dutchman, March 7-21 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. This production is the conclusion of WNO's recent look at Wagner's work in anticipation of the company's first complete presentation of the composer's epic four-part Ring cycle next season. Starring American bassbaritone Eric Owens in his staged role debut as The Dutchman, Wagner's powerful early opera is directed by Stephen Lawless and features the WNO Orchestra conducted by WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin and Eric Weimer. Condemned to wander the seas upon a ship of ghosts, The Dutchman can only venture ashore once every seven years to seek his salvation: a woman's unconditional love. When Senta, the beguiling daughter of the sea captain Daland, pledges to be faithful to him forever, it seems the ancient curse might finally be broken. But Erik, her jealous huntsman suitor, poses just one of many obstacles in a tale where greed, fidelity, and misfortune collide in full force. Director Stephen Lawless tells the Dutchman's story with theatrical flair, including a stunning ship of blood-red sails that places the opera's dramatic action in bold relief. The opera is famous for its tempestuous overture, Senta's passionate ballad, and its riveting final scene set atop a stormbattered bluff.

The stellar cast includes formidable bass-baritone and two-time Grammy Award® -winner Eric Owens, one of the most in-demand American opera stars of our day, who returns to WNO to make his staged role debut as The Dutchman. While in Washington for this production, Owens shows another side of his vocal prowess when he performs a program of jazz standards in the Terrace Theater-see page 4 of this press release for more details. A trio of bright stars make their WNO debuts in The Flying Dutchman. German soprano Christiane Libor, an acclaimed Wagnerian in Europe, sings the role of Senta. Estonian bass Ain Anger, a mainstay at the Vienna State Opera who has also sung at the Bayreuth Festival, is Daland. American tenor Jay Hunter Morris, who recently starred in Wagner's Ring cycle at both the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera, sings the role of Erik. Michael Brandenburg, who is in his first season of WNO's Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, is The Steersman. [Jennifer Root sings the role of Senta on March 11 in her WNO debut. Alan Held, who stars as Wotan in WNO's 2106 Ring cycles, sings the role of The Dutchman on March 11. And Peter Volpe sings the role of Daland on March 19 and 21.] WNO Music Director Philippe Auguin leads the WNO Orchestra in interpreting Wagner's powerful score. For the performances on March 19 and 21, conductor Eric Weimer makes his WNO debut. The creative team includes set designer Giles Cadle, costume designer Ingeborg Bernerth, lighting designer Joan Sullivan-Genthe, and choreographer Matthew Ferraro. The Flying Dutchman opens on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 7 p.m. and runs for seven performances; other dates are March 9, 11, 13, 15m, 19, and 21. Visit WNO's website for complete production details and casting information. Washington National Opera's 2014-2015 season also includes the company premiere of Francis Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites, February 21 to March 7 in the Opera House, and an acclaimed new-to-Washington staging of Rossini's Cinderella, May 9-21 in the Opera House. The Saturday, May 16 performance will be broadcast live from the Kennedy Center Opera House to the high-definition NatsHD scoreboard at Nationals Park as part of M&M'S ® Opera in the Outfield. More information can be found in the 2014-2015 season press release. WNO's 2015-2016 season, which will include three complete cycles of Wagner's Ring, will be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets start at $25 and are available online, in person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, and by calling (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324. Subscription packages for the 2014-2015 season are also available and can be purchased online or by calling at (202) 416-8500.

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