Weber: Der Freischütz

René Jacobs, Freiburger Barockorchester, Zürcher Sing-Akademie, Christian Immler, Polina Pastirchak, Kateryna Kasper, Maximilian Schmitt, Max Urlacher

Released on 29/04/2022 by harmonia mundi
Main artists: René Jacobs, Freiburger Barockorchester, Zürcher Sing-Akademie, Christian Immler, Polina Pastirchak, Kateryna Kasper, Maximilian Schmitt, Max Urlacher
Genre: Opera

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As is the case for many musicians who grew up listening to baroque music, René Jacobs’ evolution follows the chronology of music history. After treating us to Monteverdi, Pergolesi, Charpentier, Dumont, Bach and Handel, the countertenor eventually became a conductor in his own right. He’s enjoyed great success across the globe, both in concert and in opera, and has developed a rich and varied discography totalling more than 260 recordings spanning almost fifty years (most of them for the French label Harmonia Mundi).

After his mostly successful forays into the operatic repertoire of Monteverdi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, the Belgian musician has now turned his attention to Weber’s Der Freischütz, which is often considered the founding work of German romantic opera. With its mixture of black magic, popular culture and nascent nationalism—a combination which would go on to become the basis for German expressionist cinema a century later—Weber’s opera greatly influenced a whole generation of composers, starting with the young Richard Wagner.

With this release, René Jacobs also doubles as a musicologist who’s keen to get back to the original source. His version of Weber’s masterpiece is based on the original project, readjusting certain scenes and placing them into their original positions. As in the early days of stereophony, his recording is staged (or embellished with sound effects) to compensate for the absence of visuals which brings the numerous German dialogues to life. The gunfire, sounds of nature, flowing water, bells, birds (and even the disturbing wolf howls made by the choristers!) make for a nice touch.

This new recording was intended to commemorate the bicentenary of the work in 2021, though it was delayed due to Covid-19. However, its release will be followed by a large concert tour in Europe and it will likely become a real landmark in the Freischütz discography, which already features Carlos Kleiber’s famous 1973 recording for Deutsche Grammophon: an act that’s difficult to follow.

Recorded in Freiburg-im-Breisgau in June 2021, this new production has been meticulously carried out thanks to the German-speaking cast, the incredible Zürcher Sing-Akademie choir and, last but not least, the powerful, clear sound of the Freiburger Barockorchester. They all come together beautifully under the passionate conducting of René Jacobs. This recording is exceptional. © François Hudry/Qobuz

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Weber: Der Freischütz

René Jacobs

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Der Freischütz, Op. 77, Act 1: Nr. 1, Overtura

René Jacobs