Tales of ghostly ships condemned to forever wander the oceans have for hundreds of years fascinated sailors, readers and opera lovers, and more recently movie lovers. When L.A. Opera presents Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman, March 9-30 at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the enthralling score and striking stage imagery promise a journey into a mythical world in which a tormented spirit seeks true love as his redemption. Music director James Conlon leads a production by German director Nikolaus Lehnhoff. Making their company debuts are Icelandic baritone Tómas Tómasson, in the title role following performances in Barcelona and Brussels, and Portuguese soprano Elisabete Matos (Metropolitan Opera’s Nabucco and La Fanciulla del West) as Senta. Tenor Jay Hunter Morris (Siegfried with San Francisco Opera and in the Met’s Ring cycle) plays Erik. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. laopera.com