
Weber completed the opera in 1820 which was premiered the following year with international success. Long regarded as the first German nationalist opera and the first German Romantic opera for its patriotism and stark emotion. His musical portrayal of the supernatural is both...

Der Freischutz has come to be considered the first of the Romantic operas. The influence of folk music is obvious, as is the composer's nationalistic fervor. Bright, melodic, and vibrant, it is as fresh today as when it was written.