Carl Maria von Weber

Carl Maria von Weber was born in Eutin on November 18 or 19, 1786 and died in London on June 5, 1826. He is considered the founder of German Romantic opera.

As the son of the musician Franz Anton von Weber, he received musical training at an early age and had composition lessons with Michael Haydn and Abbé Vogler. His career took him through various stages. From 1804 to 1806 he was Kapellmeister at the Breslau Municipal Theater, from 1813 to 1816 Opera Director in Prague and from 1817 finally Königlicher Kapellmeister and Director of the newly founded Deutsche Oper at the Dresdner Hoftheater. It was there that Weber composed his most famous stage works. His opera Der Freischütz (The Marksman) is considered the epitome of German opera. He also composed instrumental works, including symphonies, concertos and piano pieces. During his time at the Dresden court, he also wrote sacred vocal works, such as the so-called “Jubel-Messe“ (Jubilation Mass).

Weber significantly influenced the German operatic style of the 19th century by introducing popular melodies and German texts to opera. He had a great influence on subsequent composers, especially Richard Wagner.