Der Fliegende Hollander: Sinopoli / Deutschen Oper Berlin

While sounding something like other mid-19th Century musical melodramatists such as Verdi and Berlioz, Richard Wagner's 'Hollander' (composed in 1843) also looks ahead to the composer's full realization of his concept of "music drama" in his 'Ring' set decades later. Already evident are Wagner's de-emphasis of aria and the increasing prominence of orchestra, dramatic interaction, and mood. Also a harbinger of his later style is Wagner's distinctive use of motif, of which the most memorable here is associated with the Dutchman and his doomed ship. Witness how magically that motif is used to undermine the 'Meistersinger'-like majesty of the chorus of Norwegian sailors and the folksy female chorus in Act III.
Giuseppe Sinopoli effectively captains the strengths and subtleties of both orchestra and chorus. Hans Sotin's bass is rich but humanistic in the role of the Norwegian Captain Daland. His daughter Senta, as sung by soprano Cheyl Studer, is sweet throughout - but also remarkably manic, ecstatic, and mournful as well. If she were to choose her suitor by quality of voice, it would be tenor Placido Domingo's urgent Erik; baritone Hans Weikl's somewhat tremulous baritone in the title role works in the more tearful encounters with Senta, but can be off-putting to listeners.