The Flying Dutchman is about the “flying dutchman” of today and the spectacular new production at the Vienna State Opera in Dec. 2003, staged by Christine Mielitz and directed by Seiji Ozawa. It led director Werner Boote to Tiksi (Siberia), where he met the Dutch circumnavigator Henk de Velde. De Velde, who had conquered the Cape of Good Hope 21 times, was at that time caught by the Arctic ice. The opera performance ends with the character, Senta’s death. But in place of a leap into the Sea, in Christine Mielitz’s staging, Senta sets fire to herself. This new form presents opera for TV and embraces two lines of treatment: a lively presentation of the most famous sea legend and Wagner’s opera.