Michael Tilson Thomas was primarily known as a symphonic conductor, with a particular commitment to American composers. What many may not know is that he spent a formative summer at Bayreuth in 1966 as a rehearsal pianist. I had the honor of serving as his assistant at the San Francisco Symphony and was struck by his extensive knowledge of the Wagner repertoire and of Wagnerian singers. He once told me that, when he was coming of age, he assumed he would pursue a career as a Wagner specialist. That was not the direction his career ultimately took.

As an opera conductor, Thomas was not always fully attuned to the needs of singers. Nevertheless, his mastery of the orchestra is evident in this rare performance of Der fliegende Holländer. He brings lightness and energy to the score, striking a convincing balance between excitement and control, never allowing the music to become overly frenetic.

Thomas Stewart is excellent in the title role, bringing both elegance and anguish to the part. Astrid Schirmer has a difficult evening as Senta, omitting notes in order to conserve her resources for the upper register, which she reaches only with effort. In fairness, she was a last-minute replacement for Eva Marton, who was forced to withdraw.