Forced by a terrible storm to anchor his ship in an unfamiliar bay, Captain Daland instructs his Steersman to keep watch, but he falls asleep at his post. A strange ship moors alongside, and its captain, the Flying Dutchman of seafaring legend, comes ashore. He is a cursed man, doomed to sail the seas forever, unless he finds a woman who will be ‘faithful unto death’. Longing for salvation, every seven years he comes to port in search of such a woman. Daland returns and hails the Dutchman, who asks Daland’s hospitality in return for generous payment.

When the Dutchman discovers that Daland has a daughter, he asks if he can marry her, in exchange for all his wealth. Daland, though suspicious, is delighted at the prospect of becoming rich. A southerly wind springs up and Daland’s crew prepare to depart for home, followed by the Dutchman’s ship. In a clothing factory, the women are sewing and singing. Mary reproaches Senta for daydreaming instead of working. The other women tease her for her obsession with the Flying Dutchman, particularly when Erik is already in love with her. Senta sings the song of the Dutchman and declares that she will be the woman to save the doomed voyager. Everyone is horrified, especially Erik, who has overheard, and announces that Daland’s ship is returning to port. Erik tells Senta of a strange dream he has had, in which he saw Senta sailing away on a mysterious ship with a stranger.

Daland arrives with the Dutchman and introduces him to Senta. She is transfixed by the visitor, and Daland urges her to accept his offer of marriage. Senta and the Dutchman are left alone, both contemplating the fulfilment of their dreams. Senta accepts the Dutchman’s offer of marriage. He warns her of the sacrifices she will make by marrying him, but she swears she will be true until death. Daland returns, overjoyed at their engagement, and the sailors and women celebrate. They call out to the Dutchman’s ship, but no one responds. Unnerved by the ghostly stillness, the women leave. Erik arrives, distraught at Senta’s betrayal. Overhearing the end of their conversation, the Dutchman is convinced that Senta is unfaithful. Senta begs him to trust her, but he is determined to return to sea. He tells her of the women who have broken their vows to him in the past: they have been eternally damned. He will save Senta, by leaving now before she can break her vows. He reveals his identity as the legendary Flying Dutchman, boards his ship, and leaves. Senta remains behind, alone.

Place: On the coast of Norway

Act 1

On his homeward journey, the sea captain Daland is compelled by stormy weather to seek a port of refuge near Sandwike in southern Norway. He leaves the helmsman on watch and he and the sailors retire. (Song of the helmsman: "Mit Gewitter und Sturm aus fernem Meer" — "With tempest and storm on distant seas.") The helmsman falls asleep. A ghostly vessel appearing astern is dashed against Daland's vessel by the sea and the grappling irons hold the two ships together. Invisible hands furl the sails. A man of pale aspect, dressed in black, his face framed by a thick black beard, steps ashore. He laments his fate. (Aria: "Die Frist ist um, und abermals verstrichen sind sieben Jahr" — "The time has come and seven years have again elapsed") Because he once invoked Satan, the ghost captain is cursed to roam the sea forever without rest. An angel brought to him the terms of his redemption: Every seven years the waves will cast him upon the shore; if he can find a wife who will be true to him he will be released from his curse.

Daland wakes up and meets the stranger. The stranger hears that Daland has an unmarried daughter named Senta, and he asks for her hand in marriage, offering a chest of treasure as a gift. Tempted by gold, Daland agrees to the marriage. The southwind blows and both vessels set sail for Daland's home.

Act 2

A group of local girls are singing and spinning in Daland's house. (Spinning chorus: "Summ und brumm, du gutes Rädchen" — "Whir and whirl, good wheel") Senta, Daland's daughter, dreamily gazes upon a gorgeous picture of the legendary Dutchman that hangs from the wall; she desires to save him. Against the will of her nurse, she sings to her friends the story of the Dutchman (Ballad with the Leitmotiv), how Satan heard him swear and took him at his word. She vows to save him by her fidelity.

The huntsman Erik, Senta's former boyfriend, arrives and hears her; the girls depart, and the huntsman, who loves the maiden, warns her, telling her of his dream, in which Daland returned with a mysterious stranger, who carried her off to sea. She listens with delight, and Erik leaves in despair.

Daland arrives with the stranger; he and Senta stand gazing at each other in silence. Daland is scarcely noticed by his daughter, even when he presents his guest as her betrothed. In the following duet, which closes the act, Senta swears to be true till death.

Act 3

Later in the evening, the local girls bring Daland's men food and drink. They invite the crew of the strange vessel to join in the merry-making, but in vain. The girls retire in wonder; ghostly forms appear at work upon the vessel The Flying Dutchman, and Daland's men retreat in fear.

Senta arrives, followed by Erik, who reproves her for deserting him, as she had formerly loved him and vowed constancy. When the stranger, who has been listening, hears these words, he is overwhelmed with despair, as he thinks he is now forever lost. He summons his men, tells Senta of the curse, and to the consternation of Daland and his crew declares that he is the "Flying Dutchman".

As the Dutchman sets sail, Senta throws herself into the sea, claiming that she will be faithful to him unto death. This is his salvation. The spectral ship disappears, and Senta and the Dutchman are seen ascending to heaven.