Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)
Der Freischutz (The Marksman with Magic Buletts)
Romantic opera in three acts, Libretto: Johann Friedrich Kind
From the Hamburgische Staatsoper 1999
Cast: Wolfgang Rauch, Dieter Weller, Charlotte Margiono, Sabine Ritterbusch, Albert Dohmen, Jorma Silvasti, Jorg Michael Koerbl, Simon Yang, Oliver Zwarg
Chorus of the Hamburgische Staatsoper / Chorus Master: Jurgen Schulz
Orchestra of the Hamburgische Staatsoper / Conductor: Ingo Metzmacher
Stage Director: Peter Konwitschny / Directed for Television and Video by Felix Breisach
Running Time: 160 min
Menu languages: PAL: GB, D, F, SP NTSC: GB, F, J, SP
Subtitle languages: PAL: GB, D, F NTSC: GB, J, F
Region Code: 0
Picture Format: 16:9
Sound Format: PCM Stereo
Sel. No. 100 106 PAL
Sel. No. 100 107 NTSC
Der Freischutz was first performed at the Konigliches Schauspielhaus Berlin, on 18 June 1821, and enjoyed a tremendous success, heralding the breakthrough for German Romantic opera and its victory over the Italian bel canto. Richard Wagner was to continue the new musical-dramatic concept of Der Freischutz in his works. The opera soon became popular and was widely admired, including by Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Wagner, Heinrich Heine and Hector Berlioz, who composed a recitative piece for a Paris performance in 1841. This recording is of Peter Konwitschny's highly respected new production at the Hamburg Staatsoper in 1999, which benefited from the musical direction of Ingo Metzmacher.