DER FREISCHUETZ.

“Der Freischuetz,” a romantic opera in three acts, words by Friedrich Kind, was first produced at Berlin, June 18, 1821.  It is one of the most popular operas in the modern repertory.  It was first performed in Paris, Dec. 7, 1824, as “Robin des Bois,” with a new libretto by Castile Blaze and Sauvage, and many changes in the score, such as divertissements made up of the dance-music in “Preciosa” and “Oberon,” and of “The Invitation to the Dance,” scored by Berlioz.  In 1841 it was again given in Paris, with an accurate translation of the text by Pacini, and recitatives added by Berlioz, as “Le Franc Archer.”  Its first English performance in London was given July 22, 1824, as “Der Freischuetz, or the Seventh Bullet,” with several ballads inserted; and its first Italian at Covent Garden, March 16, 1850, with recitatives by Costa, as “Il Franco Arciero.”  So popular was it in England in 1824 that no less than nine theatres were presenting various versions of it at the same time.  The original cast was as follows:—­

AGATHA      Frau CAROLINE SEIDLER. 
ANNCHEN     Frl.  JOHANNA EUNIKE. 
MAX         Herr CARL STUEMER. 
CASPAR      Herr HEINRICH BLUME. 
OTTAKAR     Herr RUBINSTEIN. 
KUNO        Herr WANER. 
HERMIT      Herr GERN. 
KILIAN      Herr WIEDEMANN.

The text of the opera is taken from a story in “Popular Tales of the Northern Nations,” and is founded upon a traditionary belief that a demon of the forest furnishes a marksman with unerring bullets cast under magical influences.  Kuno, the head ranger to the Prince of Bohemia, too old to longer continue in his position, recommends Max, a skilful marksman, who is betrothed to his daughter Agatha, as his successor.  The Prince agrees to accept him if he proves himself victor at the forthcoming hunting-match.  Caspar, the master-villain of the play, who has sold himself to the demon Zamiel, and who also is in love with Agatha, forms a plot to ruin Max and deliver him over to Zamiel as a substitute for himself, for the limit of his contract with the Evil One is close at hand.  With Zamiel’s aid he causes Max to miss the mark several times during the rehearsals for the match.  The lover is thrown into deep dejection by his ill luck, and while in this melancholy condition is cunningly approached by Caspar, who says to him that if he will but repeat the formula, “In the name of Zamiel,” he will be successful.  He does so, and brings down an eagle soaring high above him.

Elated with his success, Caspar easily persuades him that he can win the match if he will meet him at midnight in the Wolf’s Glen, where with Zamiel’s aid he can obtain plenty of magic bullets.