FREISCHUTZ, DER

(The Free-Shooter) Composer: CARL MARIA VON WEBER Book by Johann Friepricu Kinp, from a story in the Gespensterbuch First performance: Schauspielhaus, Berlin, June 8, 1821 3 acts. THE DEMON ZAMIEL has persuaded Kaspar, devotee of Prince Ottokar of Bohemia, to bargain his soul for a set of magic bullets. Agathe, daughter of Kuno, the Prince’s chief huntsman, loves Max and wants to marry him. Kaspar and Zamiel conspire to make Max a poor shot in the first round of competition for Kuno’s position (that worthy is retiring). Max is encouraged to meet Kaspar and Zamiel where he will receive the magic bullets... 1.€., Kaspar will be relieved of the burden of them, and Zamiel will accept Max as his new ward. Agathe receives a magic wreath from a holy hermit. At the next contest, Max shoots perfectly six times with six of the magic bullets which will do his will, but the seventh must do Zamiel’s. The demon forces Max to shoot Agathe, whose magic wreath, however, saves her life, deflecting the bullet so that it kills Kaspar. Max and Agathe can now wed.