Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

I. General

  1. Greatly influenced the development of Romantic opera
  2. Major influence on Richard Wagner
  3. Like many Romantic composers, Weber had a high interest in literature, including interest in publishing, journalism, history of musical instruments, and folksong. He collaborated on the libretto of “Der Freischutz”
  4. Weber’s father, Franz Anton von Weber, had no true claim to the “von” which connotes royalty (see Wikipedia)

II. Background and brief chronology

  1. Studied with Johann Michael Haydn (Joseph Haydn’s brother), and later with Wallishauer, Joseph Haydn, and Abbe Vogler (the teacher of Meyerbeer)
  2. Gained post at Breslau, upon the recommendation of Vogler
  3. Toured to make money to settle debts
  4. Became director in Prague in 1813, where he reformed the theater system
  5. Became the director of the opera in Dresden in 1817
  6. Married Caroline in 1817
  7. Exhibited first signs of tuberculosis in 1819
  8. Composed Euryanthe in 1822, which was not a success until it was sung by Wilhelmine Schroeder-Devrient in 1824. This soprano was the singer who later inspired Wagner to become a composer
  9. Died in London in 1826 while preparing “Oberon” for CovetGarden

III. Der Freischütz

  1. Mingles the supernatural with the human
  2. Wolf’s Glen scene is one of the most important scenes in opera because it established numerous conventions and solutions
  3. Basic storyline: Max wishes to marry Agathe, daughter of the Head Forester. To win her hand, he must win a shooting contest. At an early contest, he loses miserably. Kuno, Agathe’s father, is concerned. Kaspar, another Forester, has sold his soul to Samiel (the Devil) in exchange for “free” bullets, i.e., bullets that can be willed to hit their target. Kaspar’s time is almost up. He connives with Samiel to take Max instead. Max goes to the Wolf’s Glen with Kaspar and casts seven magic bullets, six of which are under his control. The seventh bullet remains with Samiel. At the contest, Max shoots brilliantly under the watchful eye of Prince Ottokar. For the 7th and final shot, Kaspar climbs a tree to watch. As Max shoots at dove at Ottakar’s command, Agathe appears with an old Hermit. She declares that she is, herself, the dove. Her cry to “stop” is too late. Agathe faints and the bullet, under the command of Samiel, strikes Kaspar. Max confesses and is about to be condemned for heresy when the Hermit intervenes, declaring that Max had entered the pact under false pretenses. Max is forgiven and united with Agathe. General rejoicing.
  1. The opera contains many important Romantic characteristics:
  2. Redemption through a woman’s love
  3. Medieval setting
  4. Faustian Bargain
  5. Recurrent motives (precursors to Leitmotif technique, which was also anticipated in Louis Spohr)
  6. Associated keys and instrumentation (also adopted by Wagner)
  7. Striking use of the “Tristan” chord in Act III
  8. Through-composed scenes and the breakdown of the distinction between recitative and aria