The Flying Wallendas is the name of a circus act and daredevil
stunt performers, most known for performing highwire acts without a safety net. They were first known as
The Great Wallendas, but the current name was coined by the press in the 40s and has stayed since. The name in their native German, "Die fliegenden Wallendas", is a play on the title of the
Wagner opera,
Der fliegende Holländer ("The Flying Dutchman").