After some impressive recent concert presentations of Wagner by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, NZ Opera brings us the real McCoy with Matthew Lutton's high-voltage production of The Flying Dutchman.
The young Australian director makes all the right moves.
He wisely leaves sea and storm to the capable APO under Wyn Davies, evoking weather conditions that, outside of the Aotea Centre, would have you scrambling for your oilskins.
The Flying Dutchman sets off with male bonding. Sailors sing lustily in cramped quarters - their boxed cabin, floating on a sea of ghostly detritus, is the first of Zoe Atkinson's inspired sets.
Paul Whelan and Shaun Dixon sketch the captain and steersmen incisively; both are in fine voice, Dixon exceptional when singing of his love.