Der Fliegende Holländer

A legendary opera takes place in the heart of Båstad

One of the opera world's most mythical stories soars over the Bjäre peninsula when Richard Wagner's The Flying Dutchman lands as a grand open-air concert at the Tennis Stadium in Båstad. Under the open sky, just a stone's throw from the sea and in the middle of the pulsating centre of summer life, world-class soloists, a hundred chorus singers and the Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra come together to create a musical experience that is both immediate and unforgettable.

Following the success of Verdi's Aida, which filled the stands to record levels in 2025, the Birgit Nilsson Festival is raising the bar once again and inviting audiences to another unique, world-class opera event. An evening where drama, music, and summer evenings come together to create something truly special.

Information

Richard Wagner: The Flying Dutchman (romantic opera in three acts)

August 8 at 7 pm
Tennis Stadion in Båstad
Outdoor concert
Approx. 3 hrs incl. 45 min intermission
Konsert area open from 5 pm
Food and drinks available on site, credit card payment only
Own food and drinks not allowed
Birgit Nilsson Festival August 2-8 2026

Artists

The Dutchman – Christopher Maltman

Senta – Elisabet Strid

Daland – Günther Groissböck

Erik – Stanislas de Barbeyrac

Mary – Katarina Dalayman

The Steersman – Tobias Westman

Helsingborg Symphony Orchestra

Choral singers from Skåne

Conductor, Henrik Nánási

Tickets

Enhance your experience with our exclusive ticket bundles

Stalls & balcony tickets

Price from 180kr

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VIP Stalls Package - Stalls seat, 1 glass of wine & festival program

Price from 1165kr

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Opera & menu package - Stalls seat, 2-course menu & festival program

Price from 1595kr

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Premium package - Balcony/grandstand seat, summer buffet, drink & festival program

Price from 1895kr

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Accommodation package – A complete experience with a golden touch

Price from 2250kr

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Booking information

Tickets for this event are booked through Julius ticket service.

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– Groups of more than 10 people can book via 046-2804550 or biljettbokning@juliusbiljettservice.se
– Wheelchair/companion seats can be booked via the call centre on 0775-700 400

The rich legacy of a farm girl turned diva

The Arts Desk (UK) 2021

History

Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman was born out of a 17th-century legend – and out of the composer’s own dramatic escape from Riga in 1839. During a stormy voyage across the Baltic Sea and the Kattegat, Wagner and his wife took refuge in a Norwegian port. There, surrounded by steep fjord cliffs, Wagner listened to the sailors’ cries and saw the glow of fire on the rigging. This became the decisive inspiration for the opera’s dark, mythical world.

The legend tells of a Dutch captain who, during a violent storm, swore a blasphemous oath – and was condemned to sail forever without reaching land. Only through a woman’s faithful love can the curse be broken. In the opera, it is Senta, a young woman obsessed with the legend of the doomed sea captain, who becomes his chance for salvation. Wagner’s music depicts the struggle between fate and reconciliation, storm and calm, hope and doom – motifs that still resonate strongly with today’s audiences.

The Flying Dutchman premiered in 1843 and marks the beginning of Wagner’s mature style, where myth, drama, and music are woven together into a single powerful narrative.

Information about your visit

Plan your visit and make the most of your opera evening. Here you’ll find all the practical information you need, from timings and transport to tips on how best to enjoy summer on the Bjäre Peninsula. Let Båstad and the Bjäre Peninsula welcome you with open arms.