Der Freischütz

Following the rock adaptation “The Black Rider,” we now present the opera! Max, the hunter, is a poor shot. He dreads the shooting test for the prince, which he must pass in order to marry Agathe. His colleague Kaspar wants to help him and sells both his own soul and Max’s to the devilish Samiel. The deal stipulates that Max will win the shooting test with the help of magic bullets. In return, the last of the seven magic bullets is to strike Agathe right in the heart. Max knows nothing of this, but Agathe senses something of the dark machinations surrounding her. The crown of death, which she finds in place of her bridal wreath, confirms her grim premonition. She tries to make Max see reason, but he remains stubborn. During the trial shooting, one of his bullets strikes Kaspar, who, as he lies dying, reveals the pact with Samiel. The hermit living in the forest then calms the enraged prince, thereby setting in motion the decisive turning point for Max and Agathe. 

Much like Richard Wagner captures the sea in his *The Flying Dutchman*, Carl Maria von Weber evocatively captures the mystique of the forest with its idiosyncratic and unpredictable character. The folk-song-like clarity of the music harmonizes with the simplicity of the dramatic structure: Spoken dialogues and musical numbers alternate. Weber’s first German Romantic opera captivates with its accessibility and is considered a groundbreaking work in the German operatic tradition. Perfect for opera fans and anyone who wants to become one!