Now is the perfect time to get (re)acquainted with Carl Maria von Weber's spectacular Der Freischütz (The Marksman), recorded here in a production that marked the 200th anniversary of its premiere at the Konzerthaus Berlin on June 18, 1821! Two hundred years later on the same stage, Carlus Padrissa—co-founder of the provocative, visionary theatrical group La Fura dels Baus, brings to vibrant life his vision of this monument of Romantic opera repertoire.
To recreate the fantastical atmosphere of the tale, Padrissa strips the splendid Konzerthaus of its orchestra seats to free up a vast space in which the singers and actors can perform freely. He also appeals to Jose Vaaliña's exceptional lighting, rendering his tricks and machinations visible to all. Padrissa's surprising, over-the-top reimagining of Der Freischütz nonetheless remains faithful to the original libretto and its narrative frame: the hunter Max (played by the excellent Benjamin Bruns) must win a well-known shooting contest to win the hand of Agathe (the luminous Jeanine de Bique). A recent string of poor luck, however, leads him to strike a deal with the devil in the hopes of triumphing… A delightfully off-the-wall adventure masterfully conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, the musical director of the Konzerthaus!
