The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. Romantische oper in one act by Richard Wagner. Libretto by Richard Wagner after Heinrich Heine. Directed by Tim Albery. Designed by Michael Levine. Conducted by Henrik Nánási. Orchestra of the Royal Opera House. Royal Opera Chorus. Cast: Stephen Milling, Mike Mykkanen, Bryn Terfel, Elisabet Strid, Toby Spence, Kseniia Nikolaieva. Production originally performed in 2009.

Many "Wagnerians" are a little sniffy about the Dutchman - very early Wagner, the Master had not yet developed his genius, all a rift on one tune, not good enough for Bayreuth etc etc. Well I love it, and this revival of the 2009 ROH production was terrific. Bryn Terfel commanded the stage as the captain doomed to sail the seas for eternity until he can find requited love, and Elisabet Strid as Senta was brilliant as the girl who almost sails away with him. A simple staging, with a large (possibly prow of a ship) metal sheet acting as the background to the key scenes. Hungarian conductor Henrik Nánási was a delight to watch in the pit, hugely enjoying himself. Presenting this opera as a single act with no interval doesn't do a lot for your backside, but it is 140 minutes of glorious opera.