Friedrich Kind

Friedrich Kind was a German librettist and writer, best known for his collaboration with composer Carl Maria von Weber. He was born on March 4, 1768, in Leipzig, Germany, and initially trained as a lawyer before turning to literature and drama. His passion for the arts soon overtook his legal career, and he became a key figure in the German Romantic literary movement.

Kind’s most famous contribution to the world of theatre was the libretto for Weber’s opera Der Freischütz (1821). This work is often regarded as the first great German Romantic opera, blending folklore, nature, and the supernatural into a compelling musical drama. Kind’s text provided a rich narrative foundation, filled with rustic charm and dramatic intensity, which inspired Weber’s memorable score.

Although Der Freischütz remains his most enduring achievement, Kind was a prolific writer of plays, poems, and novellas throughout his career. His work often reflected the Romantic ideals of emotion, individualism, and a reverence for nature and the mysterious. He was also involved in the Dresden literary scene and maintained a strong friendship with Weber, although they eventually had a falling out over revisions to the opera.

Kind’s contributions helped shape a distinctly German operatic tradition at a time when Italian and French styles dominated European stages. His work emphasized the power of national folklore and the value of German-language opera, paving the way for future composers like Wagner.

Friedrich Kind died on June 24, 1843, in Dresden. Though largely remembered today for a single libretto, his influence on Romantic opera and German theatrical literature remains significant.