Weber: Der Freischütz ~ C. Kleiber
Der Freischützis one of the great milestones in the  history of opera.  The resounding success of its premiere in 1821 practically  made it a manifesto for German Romantic opera, one that would become a  significant formative influence on Wagner.  Although it has its roots in the  Singspiel tradition exemplified by Mozart'sDie  Zauberflöte,Der Freischützcut new ground  with its potent mixture of supernatural elements, dreams, folk melodies,  evocations of nature, and symphonic tone painting.  Here, von Weber  exploited his brilliant orchestral imagination--using, for example, carefully  divided string tremolos and a gleaming choir of four horns--to maximum  effect. This legendary recording from 1973 was Carlos Kleiber's first studio project,  and the scrupulous attention he lavished on the score resulted in an interpretation that continues to sound bold, fresh, and authoritative.  The Dresden Staatskapelle plays in top form, whether in tenderly sprung wind  solos or in the truly spooky atmospherics of the famous Wolf's Glen scene.   Peter Schreier's dark, pungent tenor is something of an acquired taste, but he  gives fervent voice to the despair of hunter/protagonist Max.  Gundula  Janowitz sings with stirring beauty and enriches the two-dimensional  character of Max's beloved Agathe with remarkable depth, revealing both  her innocence and her agonized foreboding. And Theo Adam delivers a  thoroughly spiteful, loathesome vocal portrait of the nefarious Kaspar,  whose pact with the devil Samiel goes awry. For a work that is not  performed nearly as often as it deserves to be, this recording is essential.--Thomas May