Abstract
It is impossible to imagine German Romanticism without Carl Maria von Weber’s opera Der Freischütz (The Marksman). Combining a fantastical natural world with the diabolical and a Biedermeier idyll – which, however, conceals petty bourgeois parochialism and a latent propensity to violence, the masterfully composed piece continues to fascinate audiences to this day. Our production of Der Freischütz, which was premièred three years ago, was staged by the award-winning German theatre director Herbert Fritsch in his unmistakable style, which aims for a gaudily colourful, skilful, humorous and physically very direct dramatic idiom. Fritsch has his Freischütz figures, dressed in the spectacular, imaginatively exaggerated costumes by Victoria Behr, dance around a village church in the style of a doll’s house, relishes the comedic aspects of the piece, and draws out all the dramatic force of the work through the exalted acting of the chorus and soloists – with Samiel, a devil who is forever making mischief, always at the epicentre.
In our revival production, the theatrical fun is equalled by the quality of the singing: American soprano Jacquelin Wagner, who is currently embarking on a major career – performing at venues ranging from the Salzburg Easter Festival to Paris and Dresden – will be giving her début at Zurich Opera House in the role of Agathe. Tenor Benjamin Bruns, who is a member of the ensemble at the Vienna State Opera, will be singing the role of Max. Axel Kober, General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein and experienced connoisseur of the romantic German repertoire, will be at the rostrum.