Weber's eerily fantastical Der Freischütz is heralded as one of the cornerstones of Romantic opera, being the first in operatic history to draw on traditional German folk tunes and elements of Romanticism. The evocative and colourful orchestration of the 'Wolf's Glen' scene, the most gruesomely expressive rendering of evil ever found in a musical score, is particularly impressive. Much of the music is instantly familiar: several of the melodies have been adapted as hymn tunes, and the Overture regularly appears in the concert hall.

Composer Weber
Conductor Sir Colin Davis
Performers London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra
Soloists Christine Brewer, Sally Matthews, Simon O'Neill, Lars Woldt, Stephan Loges, Martin Snell, Gidon Saks, Marcus Farnsworth, Lucy Hall

Der Freischütz
Vol 1
1. Overture
2. Act I: Introduction - "Victoria!"
3. Act I: Terzett mit Chor - "O! diese Sonne"
4. Act I: Scene, Walzer und Arie - "Nein! Langer trag' ich nicht die Qualen"
5. Act I: Lied - "Hier im ird'schen Jammerthal"
6. Act I: Arie - "Schweig'!"
7. Act II: Duett - "Schelm! halt fest!"
8. Act II: Ariette - "Kommt ein schlanker Bursch gegangen"
9. Act II: Scene und Arie - "Wie nahte mir der Schlummer"
10. Act II: Terzett - "Wie? Was? Entsetzen!"

Vol 2
1. Act II: Finale - "Die Wolfsschlucht"
2. Act III: Entre-Acte
3. Act III: Cavatine - "Und ob die Wolke sie verhulle"
4. Act III: Romanze und Arie - "Einst traumte meiner sel'gen Base"
5. Act III: Volkslied - "Wir winden dir den Jungfernkranz"
6. Act III: Jagerchor - "Was gleicht wohl auf Erden"
7. Act III: Finale - "Schaut, o schaut!"

Release date 29 April 2013
LSO0726 | 822231172628

Producer James Mallinson
Engineers Classic Sound Ltd
Recorded live at the Barbican, April 2012

DSD recording
Notes in English / en français / auf Deutsch

FLAC - 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices
MP3 - 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Compatible with all CD players