Overview
Synopsis
Max is usually the ruling marksman of all the foresters, but today in the tournament he has missed every shot. He is desperate to know what is wrong with him, as tomorrow they compete for the trick shot. Whoever wins that gets to marry Agathe, the head forester’s beautiful daughter. Max and Agathe are already deeply in love, and he would do anything to win tomorrow’s competition, rather than lose her forever.
This is exactly the position that Kaspar wanted Max to be in. He has done a deal with Samiel, the Wild Huntsman, to ensure exactly this outcome and now approaches Max with a proposition. He can show Max how to make ‘free bullets’ which will always hit their target. To get Max to trust him, he shows the true power of these bullets, and asks Max to shoot down a golden eagle that is far above them. One shot, and the bird falls at their feet. Max is convinced, and agrees to meet Kaspar at midnight by the wolf’s den, fighting his fear of the stories of evil that live there.
Max takes the ‘free bullets’ to the competition, and is instructed to shoot a white dove on a branch. As he takes aim, Agathe jumps out and tries to stop him; she dreamed last night that she was the dove. Unable to stop himself, Max pulls the trigger, and the bullet hits its mark. Agathe falls to the ground, and at the same time, so does Kaspar. Agathe is caught by a hermit, and is still alive. Kaspar is dead, and Max is forced to reveal the truth about Kaspar’s deal with Samiel.
Der Freischütz is a supernatural tale of love, temptation, and good versus evil, with an important moral lesson. The hermit advises the people not to test men on their ability to make one shot, but on the strength of their character that they show you. Anyone can step into evil if they are tempted, the strong men are those who also step back again.
Show Information
- Book
- Friedrich Kind
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1821
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Germany, Fairy tale
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone, Bass, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto |
Songs
Overture
Act One
- No. 1 Introduction ‘Victoria! Der Meister soll leben’ - Chorus, Max, Kilian
- Dialogue ‘Lasst mich zufrieden’ - Max, Kuno, Kaspar, Jager, Kilian, Chorus
- No. 2 Trio with Chorus ‘O diese Sonne!’ - Max, Kuno, Kaspar, Chorus, Samiel
- No. 3 Scene and Aria ‘Durch die Walder - Max
- Dialogue ‘Das bist du ja noch’ - Kaspar, Max
- No. 4 Song ‘Hier im ird’schen Jammerthal - Kaspar
- Dialogue ‘Ei, du musst auch mit singen’ - Kaspar, Max
- No. 5 Finale ‘Schweig! Damit dich Niemand warnt’ - Caspar
Act Two
- No. 6 Duet ‘Schelm. Halt’ fest!’ - Ännchen, Agathe
- Dialogue ‘So, nun wird der Altvater’ - Ännchen, Agathe
- No. 7 Arietta ‘Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen’ - Ännchen
- Dialogue ‘Und der Bursch nicht minder schön’ - Agathe, Ännchen
- No. 8 Scene and Aria ‘Wie nahte mir der Schlummer’ - Agathe
- Dialogue ‘Max’ ...Ännchen’ - Agathe, Max, Ännchen
- No. 9 Trio ‘Wie? Was? Entsetzen!’ - Agathe, Ännchen, Max
- No. 10 Final ‘Die Wolfsschlucht’ - Chorus, Kaspar, Samiel, Max
Act Three
- No. 11 Entr’acte
- No. 12 Cavatina ‘Und ob die Wolke sie verhulle’ - Agathe
- Dialogue ‘Ännchen’ - Agathe, Ännchen
- No. 13 Romanze and Aria ‘Einst träumte meiner sel’gen Base’ - Ännchen
- No. 14 Chorus ‘Wir winden dir den Jungfernkranz’ - Bridesmaids
- Dialogue ‘Nun, da bin ich wieder’ - Ännchen, Agathe, Chorus
- No. 15 Hunter’s Chorus ‘Was gleicht wohl auf Erden’ - Male Chorus
- Dialogue ‘Genug nun der Freuden’ - Ottokar, Kuno, Max, Kaspar, Agathe
- No. 16 Finale ‘Schaut! O Schaut!’ - Chorus, Agathe, Ännchen, Max, Kuno, Kaspar, Ottokar, Hermit
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.