What would LvB have thought of Der Fliegende Hollander?

[Harvey]

I think Beethoven would have liked Der Fliegende Hollander. Here is another story, like Fidelio, of a woman rescuing a man who is in dire straits. With the redemption ending that Wagner later added, I think Beethoven would have appreciated it.

[PaulD]

Certainly the kind of serious topic LVB would have been looking for for a second opera. Did Wagner write the libretto himself based on Heine's retelling of the legend? If not, who did?

[Harvey]

Certainly the kind of serious topic LVB would have been looking for for a second opera. Did Wagner write the libretto himself based on Heine's retelling of the legend? If not, who did?

I do believe Wagner wrote his own libretto, which I understand he did for most of his operas.

[PaulD]

Wow, I did not know that about Wagner. I cannot imagine Beethoven writing his own; it would be full of puns quite likely and perhaps some harsh language if in a bad mood against a maid, a prince or a waiter!

[Harvey]

Wow, I did not know that about Wagner. I cannot imagine Beethoven writing his own; it would be full of puns quite likely and perhaps some harsh language if in a bad mood against a maid, a prince or a waiter!

Hmmm, maybe someone could write an opera on Beethoven and fill it with these type of gems.

[AeolianHarp]

Wow, I did not know that about Wagner. I cannot imagine Beethoven writing his own; it would be full of puns quite likely and perhaps some harsh language if in a bad mood against a maid, a prince or a waiter!

Well it would most certainly have been interesting!

[AeolianHarp]

Hmmm, maybe someone could write an opera on Beethoven and fill it with these type of gems.

That'd be interesting too! They'd need a mop and bucket at the end of the opera though to clean up all the thrown soup!

[Michael]

That'd be interesting too! They'd need a mop and bucket at the end of the opera though to clean up all the thrown soup!

Would that make it a soup opera?

[PaulD]

Good one Michael! Beethoven would approve your pun!

Going back to the original question by Harvey, Beethoven would probably have also approved of the topic of Heine's story. However would he have done anything about it? It seems that LVB always wanted to get a second chance at an opera but could never agree on the next topic. All his attempts to work on another libretto led to nothing. Perhaps he was unconsciously avoiding another opera after the difficulties he had with Leonore. Personally I always had difficulties myself warming up to his sole opera...there are nice passages but overall not my preferred work. Of all genres, I think this was LVB's Waterloo...the exception that confirms the rule of his genius. So Harvey, he probably would have considered the topic but would have done nothing about it. That's my guess.

[AeolianHarp]

Would that make it a soup opera?

That Irish wit beats me again..