In his essay "A Communication to My Friends" in 1851, Wagner claimed that The Dutchman represented a new start for him: "From here begins my career as poet, and my farewell to the mere concoctor of opera-texts."
I Eine Mitteilung an meine Freunde ("En meddelelse til mine venner") i 1851 hævdede Wagner, at Der fliegende Holländer var en ny begyndelse for ham: "Herfra begynder min karriere som digter og mit farvel til den blotte sammenstiller af operatekster".