Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826)
Der Freischütz
Romantic opera in three acts
Ottokar, bohemian prince: Martijn Cornet
Kuno, Erbförster: Karel Martin Ludvik
Agathe, his daugther: Jessica Muirhead
Ännchen, a young relative: Tamara Banješevic
Kaspar, 1st. huntsman: Heiko Trinsinger
Max, 2nd. huntsman: Maximilian Schmitt
one hermit: Tijl Faveyts
Kilian, a rich farmer: Albrecht Kludszuweit
two bridesmaids: Uta Schwarzkopf, Helga Wachter
Choir and Extrachoir of the Aalto-Theater
Chorus Master: Jens Bingert
Essen Philharmonic
Conductor: Tomáš Netopil</p>
Der Freischütz represents a milestone in the history of German
opera. Written in 1821 against the backcloth of the Wars of Liberation
against Napoleon, this so-called ‘national opera’ expresses the
Germans’ desire for cultural identity.
The librettist Johann Friedrich Kind places the action around the
time of the Thirty Years’ War (1618–48), a time when society was
shaped by religious power struggles, war and outdated rituals,
leading to a blurring of reality and the illusion of a perfect world.
According to ancient custom, the huntsman Max is allowed to take
his beloved Agathe as his wife and become a hereditary forester
only if his shot in a shooting contest hits its mark. But Kaspar tries
to lure Max into a pact with the devil that ensures seven free bullets
for Max that will not miss their target in the Wolfschlucht …
The recording took place on 8 December 2018 with the Essen
Philharmonic under Tomáš Netopil in the Aalto Theater Essen. The
production will be revived in April 2020.