He became an international celebrity through his success in the world of German opera, and his explorations into novel instrumental timbres greatly enriched orchestral music, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Carl Maria von Weber.

Weber had been appointed to the post of Director of Music at the Ducal Court in Breslau. He didn't remain in the position for long or indeed have much time for composition, but he did make a start on an opera. Later on Weber reworked some of this music into a concert overture, Der Beherrscher der Geister, The Ruler of the Spirits.

Weber eventually made his way to Stuttgart, via a period in Carlsruhe, to become the private secretary to Duke Ludwig of Württemberg. His duties included writing begging letters to the Duke's brother, the King of Württemberg, for financial support. The King didn't like Weber, and the composer found himself thrown into prison at one point. During his time in captivity he composed the song, Klage: Ein steter Kampf ist unser Leben.

Things came to a head in 1810, when Weber and his father were escorted to a frontier post at the boundaries of the Württemberg domains, and ordered never to return. Weber now travelled to Mannheim, and then on to Darmstadt, looking for work. It was during this period that he composed his exotic opera, Abu Hassan. Show less