Dark forests, devilish temptation, and the hope of redemption: Carl Maria von Weber's "Der Freischütz" is considered a key work of German Romantic opera. At the Nuremberg State Theater, the story unfolds of a young hunter who, fearing failure, enters into a dangerous pact.
Two young hunters hope to win the love of the same woman: Max wants to marry Agathe, but according to ancient tradition, he can only take her as his wife if he proves his marksmanship in a decisive test shot. But now, of all times, his skills seem to have deserted him—he can't seem to hit the target. In his desperation, he allows his rival Kaspar to persuade him to cast magical bullets that never miss their target.
But these balls have an ominous origin: they are created in alliance with the demonic Samiel. While Kaspar has already fallen deeply under his spell, Max is also in danger of being drawn into the vortex of the supernatural pact. The hope for love and recognition thus turns into a dangerous game with dark forces.
Carl Maria von Weber's opera, which premiered in 1821, is considered a milestone in Romantic opera and combines folk song melodies, nature motifs, and eerie scenes to create a unique musical atmosphere. The famous Wolf's Glen scene, in which Max and Kaspar cast the cursed bullets, is one of the most impressive moments in opera literature.
At the Nuremberg State Theater, "Der Freischütz" can be experienced as a gripping musical theater piece combining romanticism, folk mythology, and supernatural horror—a story about fear, temptation, and the price of a fateful deal.
Premiere April 12,
Further performances: April 18 and 29, May 24 and 31, June 6, 9, 11, 13, and 22, 2026
