Weber's Opera Der Freischütz
German Romance The Freeshooter in Three Acts by C.M. von Weber
The Romantic opera Der Freischütz (The Freeshooter or The Marksman) by German composer Carl Maria von Weber is based on a folk tale by J.A. Apel and F. Laun.
- Composer: C.M. von Weber (1786-1826).
- Libretto: Johann Friedrich Kind. Based on a folk tale in the "gespentsterbuch" (book of ghosts) by Johann August Apel and Friedrich Laun.
- Language: German
- First Performance: Berlin,Schauspielhaus, June 18, 1821
- Setting: Bohemian forest in the 17th century
- Opera (Romantic Tale) in 3 Acts.
Cast of Characters
- Kaspar, First huntsman (bass-baritone)
- Max, Second huntsman (tenor)
- Kilian, A villager (baritone or tenor)
- A Hermit, a religious man of the forest (bass)
- Samiel, The black huntsman (Speaking part)
- Kuno, Head forester (baritone)
- Agathe, Kuno's daughter (soprano)
- Ännchen, Her cousin (soprano)
- Prince Ottokar, Prince of Bohemia (baritone)
Der Freischütz is based on an old German tradition that seven unerring bullets may be obtained by selling one's soul to the Demon Hunter. Redemption can only be achieved by providing another victim within the appointed term. It has always been a popular favorite in Germanic countries. There is charm in its fresh melodies while the sophisticated listener will enjoy the romantic flavor for that period and notice the novelty of Carl Maria von Weber's approach and orchestration. Agathe's two arias, for instance, especially in Act 3, are in a poetic manner unthinkable at the earlier date. The famous Wolf's Glen provides some powerful ensembles.
The Overture, incorporating extensive melodies from the opera itself, at that point in time, was a new operatic practice established by Carl Maria von Weber.
Plot Synopsis / Summary
Act 1
Before a forest inn. Kilian's win over Max in a shooting contest is being celebrated. Max has lost his skill as a marksman. Kuno reminds Max that if he fails again in the trial test shot in the Prince's tournament at dawn, he will lose both his job and the hand of Agathe. Max loves Agathe. Max bemoans his situation. Kaspar feigns friendship and gives him wine to drink. He gives Max his own gun and instructs Max to fire and bring down an eagle from a great height. The bullet, according to Kaspar, is a magic one and it will secure his win in the tournament. He asks Max to meet him at midnight in the Wolf's Glen to get more bullets. Max agrees. Left alone, Kaspar, who has sold his soul to the devil Samiel, rejoices at his ploy and sings a gloating aria.
Act 2
Scene 1. Agathe's room.
Ännchen is re-hanging a portrait that has fallen on Agathe. Agathe shares her worries to her cousin Ännchen who in turn tries to cheer her anxious spirits. Agathe, after alluding to a warning of great danger given her that morning by the Hermit, sings the first of her two arias, consisting of a prayer, followed by a joyful melody already heard in the Overture. She also sights Max approaching. Max is agitated and worried and says he must hurry to get to the haunted Wolf's Glen. Agathe begs Max to be careful. The trio of Max, Agathe and Ännchen sing in which the girls attempt to hold him back. Max rushes into the night.
Scene 2. The Wolf's Glen
Kaspar calls up Samiel who insists he will claim Kaspar the next day unless he brings a new victim. Kaspar promises to do so, with Max as his victim. Max is to receive seven bullets of which six will hit the desired mark but the seventh, Agathe, his love. For this Kaspar will have three year's respite. Samiel vanishes and Max arrives. Seven bullets are cast in a crucible, with magic rites. By entrapping Max with the seven magic bullets, Kasper purchases three more years of life.
Act 3
Scene 1. Agathe's room.
Agathe sings her second aria about her faith in heaven. She had an ominous dream that she was a dove and Max shot her… (Ännchen dispels her mood with a recitative followed by a cheerful aria.) Ännchen and the bridesmaids try to cheer up Agathe. The portrait has fallen again and when Ännchen opens the box with the bridal wreath, she finds a funeral wreath. So Agathe wears instead the white roses given her by the Hermit earlier.
Scene 2. Prince Otokar's camp in the forest.
After the hunting-chorus the Prince orders Max to bring down a white dove perched on a tree before he will approve his betrothal to Kuno's daughter. Max fires but hits Agathe who appears from behind the tree and also wounds Kaspar. After all the commotion, Agathe revives. Samiel appears and claims Kaspar, whose body is thrown into the Wolf's Glen. Max confesses to the magic bullets and the Prince passes sentence of banishment. The Hermit appears and urges the Prince for clemency, let Max marry Agathe and to discontinue the trial of the free shot giving Max one year to redeem himself. The Prince agrees and the opera ends amid thanksgiving, with the joyful tune already heard in the overture and in Agathe's Act II aria.
Carl Maria von Weber's Other Operas
- Abu Hassan 1811
- Euryanthe 1823
- Oberon 1826
Sources:
The Harrap Opera Guide by Sir Alexander F. Morley (1970)
Opera by Alan Riding and Leslie Dunton-Downer, DK (2006)
C.M. von Weber's Freischütz
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