The Baltic Opera Festival formally launched on July 14 with Karol Szymanowski's Lottery for Husbands or Man Number 69 at the Baltic Opera in Gdańsk, proceeding to a stunning production of Richard Wagner's Flying Dutchman at the enchantingly beautiful Forest Opera in Sopot. Elżbieta Krajewska talks to director of the Festival Rafał Kokot, conductor and Kraków Opera director Piotr Sułkowski, who brought Szymanowski's operetta to Gdańsk, set designer Natalia Kitamikado, Barbara Wiśniewska who co-directed the breathtaking production, and the Festival's driving force, the great bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny.
A piercingly, hauntingly sad Dutchman was sung by Andrzej Dobber, partnered by Ricarda Merbeth as Senta. The cast included Franz Hawlata as Daland, Dominik Sutowicz as the Steersman, Stefan Vinke as Erik and Małgorzata Walewska as Mary. The Orchestra of the Baltic Opera was conducted by Marek Janowski.