In The Flying Dutchman, finished in 1841 and first presented at Dresden in 1843, Wagner achieved the first true representation of his mature style as a German Romantic composer. As in his later works, the opera is based on legend, with a simple outline and a small number of profoundly significant characters. There is also a greater reliance on the use of leitmotivs than in his previous operas, and a textual and musical unity new to the composer's work.
This edition has been directly reproduced from a limited edition prepared by the great conductor Felix Weingartner in 1896. It was the first engraved score; it corrected numerous errors in the original lithographed score and incorporates Wagner's revisions of 1846, 1852, and 1860. In addition, the text and stage directions appear in English as well as in German and Italian. Reprinted complete and unabridged in this sturdy, attractive volume, one of the finest, most authoritative editions of this memorable masterpiece is now available to all music lovers at a modest price.