elebrate Maine’s Bicentennial with Opera Maine’s production of Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman. The cursed captain of a ghostly ship comes ashore every seven years in search of faithful love that will set him free. In Opera Maine’s production of this famous legend, the violent storm brings the Dutchman to the coast of Maine. Here he finds Senta, a woman who has been obsessed with his plight and longs to save him. Wagner’s powerful music evokes the sea and conveys the intense emotions at the core of this supernatural thriller. Maestro Israel Gursky conducts the Opera Maine Orchestra, and Dona D. Vaughn directs the world-class cast.

Run Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes, with 1 intermission.

Sung in German with English supertitles. Opera in two acts, two and one-half hours, one intermission. There will be a pre-curtain presentation beginning at 6:30 p.m. in Merrill on July 27 and 29 with Opera Maine dramaturg, Calien Lewis. Free entry with your ticket.