Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

Carl Maria von Weber was born in Eutin, Germany in 1786, into the world of travelling theatre. Weber’s father was director of his own company and had great musical aspirations for his son. Young Carl did not disappoint, being something of a prodigy, he was singing and playing piano by the age of 4. At 11 he published his first composition and by 17 he was Kepellmeister at the theatre in Breslau. He went on to direct many opera companies including Prague and Dresden Court. His entire life was spent touring, conducting and promoting his own compositions and that of others.

Weber became known for his virtuoso-style piano music and beautiful clarinet concertos but opera remained the area in which he was destined to be of greatest influence. Weber’s masterpiece Der Freischutz (The Marksman) based on a set of ghost stories, was met with great success and marked the beginning of true German Romantic Opera. Prior to Weber introducing nationalist themes from folk culture, German Opera had followed the Italian tradition. Weber’s operatic style was inventive, dramatic and powerful. His librettos were inspired by German Romantic literature with its themes of mystery and danger against a backdrop world where natural meets supernatural. He followed Der Freischutz with Euryanthe and Oberon. Oberon proved to be his final opera – Weber’s health was failing due to tuberculosis and he died in 1826 at the age of 39.

Weber’s influence, however, cannot be underestimated. He was admired by his contemporary, Beethoven, and his influence is seen in the styles of Liszt, Schumann and Chopin. By changing the course of German Opera he paved the way for his disciple, Richard Wagner.