Join Mike Cascia for a lecture and a screening of the opera Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber.

Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber premiered in Berlin on June 18, 1821. Der Freischütz is based on a tale from the Gespensterbuch ("Book of Wraiths") of Apel and Laun concerning a marksman who makes a pact with the Devil.

Plot: Set on a mountain of Bohemia in the 17th century, Der Freischütz tells the tale of Max, a young gamekeeper. Max is in love with Agathe, daughter of the head ranger to Prince Ottokar. To win her hand, an ancient custom requires Max to prove his skill as a marksman on the morning of the wedding by shooting at any object the Prince may choose on the spur of the moment.

On the day before the wedding, Max loses a match he should have won. Kaspar, a man of dark character, approaches Max and asks him to meet in the Wolf’s Glen at midnight where they will mold seven magic bullets to ensure that Max wins the hand of Agathe. Max is unaware that Kaspar has sold his soul to the devil and is trying to ensnare Max’s soul as well.