wagner conducted the first performance at the semper oper in dresden, in 1843. it is an early opera of wagner, but it shows his mature style. it is very different from the previous opera "rienzi" which is still quite similar to operas that other composers were writing. in "der fliegende holländer" the drama is very important. wagner uses a number of leitmotifs: musical ideas associated with particular characters and themes in the story. the leitmotifs are all introduced in the overture. we hear the famous leitmotif of the ocean and then those of the dutchman and of senta, the girl he falls in love with.