Der Freischutz

Romantic Opera in 3 Acts

Place of the action: Bohemia, shortly after the end of the Thirty Years' War Performing time: full length

Characters: OTTOKAR, a sovereign prince in Bohemia (T) – CUNO, a heredary forester (B) – AGATHE, his daughter (S) – ANNCHEN, a young relative (S) – CASPAR, first assistant forester (B) – MAX, second assistant forester (T) – SAMIEL, the black Huntsman (Speaker) – Ein EREMIT (B) – KILIAN, a wealthy peasant ((B)Bar) CHOIR BRIDESMAIDS (S, A) – HUNTERS and ENTOURAGE (T, T, B, B) – PEASANTS and MUSICIANS (S, A, T, B) – SPIRITS (S, A, T, B)

In order to publish the work in the form the composer had in mind, the Urtext edition of Weber's "Freischutz" had to draw upon the three main authentic components: Weber's autograph, the first revised and reliable full-score edition of 1867 (Berlin: Schlesinger) – and, especially for the dialogue passages, Weber's personal libretto exemplar, containing extremely telling deletions and additions. Plus, a word about the piano reduction: Gustav Rosler's piano score, already published by Breitkopf Hartel in 1874, had provided a competent, authentic base, though now required detailed revision.