The deluded Mariner thinks he sails in hell, but what if the ghosts in his boat are real people searching for a better life?

OperaUpClose, in partnership with Manchester Camerata, premiere their production, The Flying Dutchman, at Turner Sims. Sung in English, it is inspired by the original ghost story of a man condemned to wander the world forever unless he finds someone willing to sacrifice themselves for him in the name of love. The lines between life and death, love and isolation, welcome and hostility are powerfully explored in this fresh imagining of the classic fable.

Wagner’s epic score is given renewed energy with an English libretto by poet and novelist Glyn Maxwell and an 8-piece chamber orchestration by Laura Bowler. A stunning cast of four opera singers, an eight-piece instrumental ensemble, and recorded community choirs from across the UK tell the haunting story of an island nation struggling with its identity in a world of displaced people. You can be among the first to be moved and inspired by this gripping musical tale before it tours across the country.

Be spellbound by this epic tale of compassion, fear and belonging.

Meet the cast

Meet the Creative Team

Download the concert programme

A new English version by Glyn Maxwell, orchestrated by Laura Bowler in association with Robin Wallington.

Based on an original concept by Lucy Bradley.

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Wednesday 28 June 7.30pm

Friday 30 June 7.30pm – Pre-show talk 6.30pm

Saturday 1 July 7.30pm

Pay It Forward:
OperaUpClose is committed to challenging perceptions and breaking down barriers – we know that for some members of the community the ticket price can be a significant hurdle. To help us make this amazing art form accessible to all, we are asking those audience members able to contribute to do so when selecting their price option. The £35 option is a standard ticket, with an additional £10 for our Pay It Forward scheme.

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Generously supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant, Backstage Trust and The Kobler Trust.

An OperaUpClose production in partnership with Manchester Camerata
with special thanks to Turner Sims Southampton

ABOUT OPERAUPCLOSE
OperaUpClose is an ambitious, collaborative touring opera company with an on-going mission to improve the availability, relevance and reach of the art form. We distil the essence of classic operas into new, contemporary, English language works with their own artistic integrity and excellence. We create new commissions alongside bold interpretations of established material, touring innovatively staged, affordable productions to theatres, as well as less traditional performance spaces, across the country. We are proud to be the only resident opera company in the South-West, based at the dynamic cultural hub MAST, Southampton, making opera a central part of a diverse theatrical landscape for the UK.

ABOUT MANCHESTER CAMERATA
Manchester Camerata is a registered charity working and performing in Manchester and worldwide since 1972. Be it opening Glastonbury festival in front of 40,000 people or working intimately in care homes with people living with dementia, we believe in the transformative and connecting nature of music. To achieve our artistic excellence and forward-thinking ethos, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Led by our visionary Music Director, Gábor Takács-Nagy, we collaborate with diverse international artists, from New Order to Martha Argerich to Aziz Ibrahim to Lewis Capaldi.