Opera on 3: Der Freischutz

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Opera on 3

Music: Classical: Opera

Programme presenting rare and fascinating operatic performances

Programme presenting rare and fascinating performances and vividly communicating the immediacy of the live experience

Opera on 3: Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischutz

Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischutz

BBC Radio 3 - Opera on 3, Carl Maria von Weber's Der Freischutz

Weber's Der Freischutz, performed by the SCO conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras.

Weber's Der Freischutz, performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras and starring tenor Jonas Kaufmann and soprano Hillevi Martinpelto.

A rare chance to hear Weber's Der Freischütz, widely considered one of the first masterpieces in German Romantic opera. An immediate success, the opera premiered in Berlin in 1821 and was soon performed regularly throughout Europe and beyond. 
The plot revolves around the forester-hero, Max (tenor Jonas Kaufmann), once an excellent marksman but who has seemingly lost his touch. How far will he go to win the hand of his beloved Agathe (soprano Hillevi Martinpelto)?

Sir Charles Mackerras conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus.
First broadcast and recorded in 2004 from the Edinburgh International Festival.

Presented by Christopher Cook.

Agathe ..... Hillevi Martinpelto (soprano)
Ännchen ..... Ailish Tynan (soprano)
Max ..... Jonas Kaufmann (tenor)
Kilian ..... Ronan Collet (baritone) 
Ottakar ..... Christopher Maltman (baritone) 
Kaspar ..... John Relyea (bass-baritone)
Voice of Samiel, Kuno ..... Siegfried Vogel (bass)
Hermit ..... Matthew Rose (bass)
Bridesmaids ..... Carolyn Dobbin, Catriona Holt, Gail Johnson, Madeleine Shaw (mezzo sopranos)
Philharmonia Chorus (Chorus Master Robert Dean)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

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