The Art of Waiting: Reflections on Humanity in Jonathan Dove’s Flight

By Ashley Daniel Foot

“We are all of us born in the same place: the middle,” wrote Tony Kushner in Angels in America. Jonathan Dove’s opera Flight captures this essence, setting its story amidst the transient, electric stillness of an airport terminal. First performed in 1998, this modern masterpiece invites us to reflect on what it means to exist in a state of transition. Like the passengers waiting for flights they may or may not board, we are suspended in time and space, caught between the familiar and the unknown. Flight weaves humour, poignancy, and arresting music into a profound exploration of liminal spaces—those thresholds where we reckon with who we are and who we might become.

Airports: Where Life Pauses

In the opening scene of Flight, the bustling terminal is brought to life with music that captures the rhythm of air travel—the frenetic energy of departures, the quiet moments of waiting, and the cacophony of human interaction. "Airports are places where we lose track of the hours and sometimes ourselves," wrote Pico Iyer in his essay The Joy of Quiet. In Flight, the airport becomes more than just a layover; it’s a stage where life pauses and emotions are magnified. The opera’s characters embody the drama of this in-betweenness: the Steward and Stewardess grapple with their fleeting connection, highlighted in their flirtatious duet that brims with playful melodies and sharp rhythms; a couple struggles to reignite a faltering marriage; and the Controller, perched above it all, watches from her isolated domain. At the centre is the Refugee, an eternal traveller caught in bureaucratic limbo, his story a heartbreaking reflection of real-world displacement and longing for belonging. For Vancouver audiences, the airport setting may resonate as a metaphor for our multicultural identity—a meeting ground of past and future, tradition and transformation. Like an airport, Canada itself is often seen as a space of transition and potential. Adrienne Clarkson, Canada’s former Governor General, once observed in her CBC Massey Lectures Belonging: The Paradox of Citizenship, “Canadians understand what it means to belong and not belong, to feel at home and yet in-between.” This duality captures the spirit of both Canada and the airport—places of possibility, movement, and the blending of diverse experiences. Vancouver itself embodies liminality in its neighbourhoods and landscapes. From the urban dynamism of Gastown to the tranquil beauty of Stanley Park, the city offers a constant interplay of past and present, natural and constructed. Its multicultural population further enhances this feeling of being in-between—a vibrant convergence of traditions that creates something entirely new. Vancouver International Airport (YVR), often praised for its design and inclusivity, echoes this theme. Opened in 1931 as a modest grass airstrip on Sea Island, YVR has since grown into one of the world’s most acclaimed airports. It is celebrated not only for its efficiency but also for its art and architecture, which reflect the culture and natural beauty of British Columbia. The Indigenous art installations, including the iconic Musqueam Welcome Figures and Bill Reid’s The Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe, showcase the region’s rich history and ongoing commitment to reconciliation. With its role as a gateway to Canada’s west coast, YVR embodies the spirit of connection and transformation that resonates so strongly in Flight. YVR itself stands as a testament to Vancouver’s role as a cultural gateway and a space where stories converge.

The Journey of Travel

As the passengers weather a sudden storm, the score swells with unsettling harmonies, capturing the chaos of being stranded. In this moment, the Refugee’s haunting aria about his plight reveals his inner turmoil and humanity, inviting the audience into his liminal existence. In Flight, travel is not just about crossing distances but about navigating change. Each character embarks on a journey of self-discovery, whether they are ready or not. As Pico Iyer observed in The Art of Travel, “We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves.” The Older Woman, with her romantic delusions, learns to accept herself without needing the validation of others, as shown in her reflective aria near the opera’s end, where she finally embraces her independence. The Controller’s emotional detachment dissolves in her growing empathy for the Refugee. These arcs remind us that every journey—whether across the globe or within ourselves—is a chance to evolve. Jonathan Dove’s score underscores these transformations with music that is both grounded and transcendent. The storm scene’s turbulence, the Refugee’s longing, and the Controller’s moments of detached observation are all amplified by the orchestra’s dynamic interplay of texture and tone. The rhythms of air travel—the chaos of boarding, the suspension of flight, and the anticipation of landing—are mirrored in the shimmering strings, soaring melodies, and unexpected humour of his composition. Dove’s ability to balance the comedic with the deeply poignant elevates Flight to an opera that feels both universal and uniquely contemporary.

Jonathan Dove: A Composer of Connection

Jonathan Dove’s gift lies in his ability to connect. In an interview with Vancouver Opera, Dove explained that the genesis of Flight came from the human drama he observed in airports—a place where people’s stories unfold as they transition between destinations. He noted, "Airports are full of people waiting for something to happen. They’re in a state of suspension, which makes them incredibly theatrical." His works speak to audiences who might not see themselves as opera lovers, crafting stories that are accessible yet profound. From the fantastical The Adventures of Pinocchio to the intimate Mansfield Park, Dove’s operas capture the spectrum of human experience. With Flight, Dove draws us into a world that is at once surreal and utterly relatable. He described the airport in Flight as "a microcosm of the world, where people’s hopes, fears, and secrets come to light." The airport’s bustling anonymity becomes a stage for examining loneliness, love, and the resilience of the human spirit. “Opera allows us to amplify human experiences,” Dove has said, “to make them larger than life and more universally felt.” In Flight, this amplification reveals the beauty and fragility of being caught between where we were and where we are going. Inside Vancouver Opera: Composer Jonathan Dove on 'Flight'

Further Journeys: Media to Explore

Inspired by Flight? Dive deeper into the themes of liminality, travel, and transformation with these thought-provoking works:

Books:

  • The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton: This philosophical exploration of travel examines how journeys shape our understanding of the world and ourselves.

  • The Art of Stillness by Pico Iyer: A meditation on the value of stillness and reflection, even in a world obsessed with movement.

  • The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen: A poignant collection of short stories that explores the lives of displaced individuals searching for belonging.

Movies:

  • The Terminal (2004), directed by Steven Spielberg: A heartwarming tale of a man trapped in an airport due to bureaucratic red tape, finding community and purpose in the most unlikely place.

  • Lost in Translation (2003), directed by Sofia Coppola: A story of two strangers forming a meaningful connection in a foreign land, set against the liminality of Tokyo.

  • Wings of Desire (1987), directed by Wim Wenders: A poetic exploration of human longing and connection, told through the eyes of angels observing life on Earth.

TV Shows:

  • The Leftovers (2014-2017), created by Damon Lindelof: A profound exploration of grief and transformation following a global event that leaves humanity in a state of existential limbo.

  • Station Eleven (2021), based on the novel by Emily St. John Mandel: A post-apocalyptic series that celebrates the resilience of art and human connection in a fractured world.

Each of these works echoes the spirit of Flight, exploring the human condition in transitional spaces and the beauty of transformation.

Jonathan Dove’s Flight is an opera for our times. It captures the uncertainty, potential, and profound humanity of life’s in-between moments. As we watch these characters navigate the turbulence of their lives, we are reminded of our own journeys—of the spaces we inhabit while waiting to become who we are meant to be. In the words of Pico Iyer, “Movement is a fantastic privilege, but it ultimately has to lead us to stillness.” Through Flight, we find both. Illustrations by Barry Ekko.

Ashley Daniel Foot is the Director of Engagement and Civic Practice at Vancouver Opera, where he leads innovative programs connecting diverse communities through opera. His work focuses on making opera accessible, especially through educational initiatives like Opera Adventures at Vancouver Public Library and Opera Experience, an immersive, year-long program that gives high school students behind-the-scenes access to Vancouver Opera productions. He also hosts the podcast Inside Vancouver Opera, exploring the stories behind the art form.