Search - Carl Maria von Weber, Erich Kleiber, Cologne Radio Symphony Orchestra :: Weber: Der Freischütz

"Kleiber's reading and his cast's singing of this cornerstone of German opera have never been equaled on disc: a performance from around the same time under Furtwängler with many of the same singers is sloppier in execution, and Kleiber's son Carlos's recording from 1973, with as much enthusiasm and innate understanding, is not nearly as well sung. This set makes sense of an opera that may seem, for many, to be too otherworldly, or conversely, too earthy. It belongs in every opera lover's collection." -- Robert Levine Der Freischütz was the first great German national opera, breaking the stranglehold of the Italians over the opera world. Its premiere in 1821 was a sensation, and Weber was proclaimed the founder of the German Romantic opera school. Richard Wagner was nine years old when he saw Weber conduct Der Freischütz. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Wagner replied: "Not emperor or king, but to stand and conduct like that!" His wish, of course, came true; and when Weber died prematurely at age forty, it was Wagner who conducted the funeral music and delivered the eulogy. Weber's influence was to live on in Wagner's music dramas. As with the other releases in the new Grand Tier series, this opera recording includes a full libretto in the original language and in English; stimulating essays on the operas by eminent writers on music; and striking artwork commissioned from Rafal Olbinski. Live performance, Cologne 1955.