Carl Maria von Weber - composer, founder of the German romantic opera: biography and creativity

Carl Maria von Weber - the famous German composer and musician of the 18th century, who was the cousin of Mozart's wife. He made a great contribution to the development of music and theater. One of the founders of Romanticism in Germany. His most famous works were his operas.

Carl Maria von Weber: biography. Childhood

Born Karl in the small German town of Eitan (Holstein). This event happened on December 18, 1786. His father was Franz Weber, who was very fond of music. He served as an entrepreneur in a traveling drama company.

Children's years of the future musician passed among nomadic theater actors. This peculiar atmosphere strongly influenced the boy and determined his future. So, it was the theatrical company that instilled in him interest in dramatic and musical genres, and also gave knowledge about the laws of the scene and the musical specifics of dramatic art.

At a young age, Weber was also actively involved and interested in painting. However, the father and elder brother tried to introduce him more to the music. Franz, despite constant travel, managed to give his son a good musical education.

First compositions

In 1796 Karl Maria von Weber studied piano at Hildburhausen, then in Salzburg studied the basics of counterpoint in 1707, then in Munich from 1798 to 1800 studied compositional art at the court organist Calheroma. In those same years I took singing lessons.

Carl took a serious interest in music. And in 1798 he, under the guidance of J. M. Haydn, even created several fughetts for the clavier. These were the first works of the composer. What is surprising, but the opera Carl Maria von Weber also began to write very early. Literally, after the fugues appeared two of his large creations, of which we will talk later, as well as a large mass, allemandy, eco-seasons, comic canons. But the greatest was the Singspiel "Peter Schmoll and his neighbors", created in 1801. It was this work that won the approval of Johann Michael Haydn himself.

High post

In 1803, there was a significant development in the creativity of the future creator of the German romantic opera. In this year, Weber comes to Vienna, after a long journey across Germany. Here he meets a very famous at that time music teacher Abbe Vogler. This person quickly noted the gaps that existed in the musical-theoretical knowledge of Charles, and took up their completion. The composer worked hard and was highly awarded. In 1804, his seventeen-year-old boy was accepted as a choplayer, that is, a leader, at the Breslau Opera House, thanks to Vogler's patronage. This event marked a new period of creativity and life Weber, which includes the following time frame - from 1804 to 1816.

The beginning of the most important period of creativity

The musical works of Karl Maria von Weber at this time are undergoing a serious evolution. In general, since 1804, all the composer's work is changing. At that time, Weber's aesthetic views and worldview are formed, and the musical talent is most clearly manifested.

In addition, Karl reveals the real talent of the organizer in the musical and theatrical sphere. And traveling with the troupe to Prague and Breslau opened in him the ability of the conductor. But Weber had little to master the classical tradition, he seeks to transform and correct everything. So, he, as a conductor, changed the order of placement of musicians in the opera orchestra. Now they are grouped according to the kind of instrument. This composer anticipated the principle of orchestral placement, which will become popular in the 19th and 20th centuries.

The eighteen-year-old Weber defended his bold changes with all the ardor of his youth, despite the resistance of musicians and singers who seek to preserve the tradition that historically developed in German theaters.

Major works of this period

In 1807-1810 the music-critical and literary activities of Karl Maria von Weber began. He begins to write reviews and articles about performances and music, begins a novel called "The Life of a Musician", writes his own notes to his compositions.

Works written during the entire first period of the composer's work allow us to see how gradually the features of the future of a more mature and serious style of the author are becoming more and more vivid. At this time, the greatest importance in terms of art is acquired by Weber's musical-dramatic works, among which:

• Singshpil "Abu Hasan".
• Opera "Silvana".
• Two symphonies and two cantatas without a name.

Also in this period there were a lot of overtures, songs, arias of choirs, etc.

Dresden period

At the very beginning of 1817, Carl Maria von Weber became the conductor of Dresden's "Deutsche Oper". In the same year, he married Caroline Brandt, an opera singer.

From this moment begins the most important and last period of the composer's creativity, which will end in 1826 by his death. At this time, Weber's conductor and organizational activities take a very intense character. At the same time, he had to stumble with difficulties as a conductor and leader. The innovations of Charles Maria were actively opposed by the theatrical traditions that dominated almost a century and a half, as well as F. Morlacchi, the conductor of the Italian opera company in Dresden. Despite all this, Weber managed to assemble a new German opera corpse. Moreover, he managed to stage some fine performances, despite the insufficiently prepared collective.

However, do not think that Weber-composer gave way to Weber-Kapellmeister. He managed to combine both these roles and brilliantly deal with them. It was at this time that the best works of the master appeared, including his most famous opera.

"The Free Shooter"

The story told in this opera goes back to the folkloric story of how a man sold the devil his soul for the magical dust that helped him win the shooting competition. And the reward was to marry a beautiful lady, into whom the hero was in love. For the first time in the opera was embodied what is close and familiar to the heart of the German. Weber portrayed a simple village life with sentimental naivety and rude humor. Bewitching and forest, hiding under a gentle smile the otherworldly horror, and heroes, ranging from village girls and cheerful hunters, ending valiant and fair princes.

This whimsical plot merged with beautiful music, and all this became a mirror reflecting every German. In this work, Weber not only freed the German opera from Italian and French influences, but also managed to lay the foundations of the leading opera form of the entire 19th century.

The premiere took place on June 18, 1821 and had a dizzying success with the audience, and Weber became a real national hero.

Later the opera was recognized as the greatest creation of the national German romantic theater. Composer, taking as a basis genre singshpilya, used wide musical forms, which allowed saturating the work with drama and psychology. A large place in the opera is occupied by detailed musical portraits of heroes and everyday scenes connected with folk German song. The musical landscapes and fantastic episodes were very clearly expressed thanks to the wealth of the orchestra created by Weber.

The structure of the opera and its musical characteristics

The "free shooter" begins with an overture, in which the smooth melodies of the French horn predominate. Before the spectator a mysterious romantic picture of the forest is drawn, poetry of ancient hunting legends is heard. The main part of the overture describes the struggle of opposites. The entry ends with a solemnly majestic code.

The action of the first act takes place against the backdrop of massive cheerful scenes. We see pictures of peasant holidays, beautifully recreated thanks to choral introductions, folk musical motifs. The melody sounds like it's really played by village musicians, and the country's simple waltz is simple and naive.

With the holiday sharply contrasts the aria of the hunter Max, which is full of anxiety and confusion. And in the drinking song of the second keeper, Caspar, a sharp rhythm is clearly audible, prompting prompt action.

The second act is divided into two pictures, contrasting with each other. In the first part we hear first the carefree Arietta Angel, which serves to shade the spiritual purity and depth of feelings of her friend Agatha. The picture is filled with alternating song melodies and expressive recitative, which help to better understand the girl's experiences. The final part is filled with joy, light and brilliance.

However, already in the second picture, dramatic tension begins to increase. And the main role is given to the orchestra. The chords sound unusual, deaf and gloomy, terrifying, and the chorus of the choir hidden from the audience strengthens the mystery. Weber managed to achieve a stunningly plausible musical depiction of the rampaging of evil spirits and demonic forces.

The third act is also divided into two pictures. The first immerses the viewer into a calm and idyllic atmosphere. The party of Agatha is permeated with poetic light melancholy, and the chorus of girlfriends is painted in soft tones, in which national motives are felt.

The second part opens with a chorus of hunters, accompanied by the sound of hunting horns. In this choir people's German tunes are heard, which later gained world popularity.

The opera ends with an unfolded ensemble scene with the chorus, accompanied by a joyous melody, the leitmotif that passes through the whole work.

Creation of "Oberon" and the last days of life

The fabulous opera Oberon was written in 1926, it completed a wonderful series of opera compositions by the composer. Weber wrote it in order to provide for his family. The composer knew that he would die soon, and there would be nobody to take care of his loved ones.

"Oberon" in its form was completely different from the usual Weber style. For the composer, who always advocated the fusion of opera with theatrical art, the structure of the work was heavy. However, it was for this opera that Weber managed to create the most exquisite music. By the time the Oberon was written, the composer's health was greatly shaken, and he could hardly walk, nevertheless Karl Maria did not miss the premiere. Opera received recognition, once again criticism and viewers praised Weber's talent.

Unfortunately, the composer did not have much time to live. A few days after the premiere, he was found dead. It happened on June 5, 1826 in London. It was on this day that Weber was going to return to his homeland in Germany.

In Dresden in 1861 a monument to Weber was erected.

First Youth Opera

"Mute forest girl," the composer's first major work, deserves a special mention. The premiere of the opera took place in 1800 in Freiburg. Despite the youth and inexperience of the author, she was successful and won recognition. We can say that this production of this work was the beginning of Weber's compositional career.

As for the opera, it was not forgotten and for a long time continued to appear in theatrical programs of Prague, Vienna, Petersburg and other cities of the world.

Other works

Weber left behind a rich creative heritage, which it is almost impossible to enumerate. But let's note the most significant of his works:

• 9 operas, including "Three Pinto", "Ryubetsal", "Sylvanas", "Evrianta".
• Musical accompaniment to seven dramatic plays.
• Solo and choral vocal works include 5 mass, more than 90 songs, more than 30 ensembles, 9 cantatas, about 10 folk songs.
• Piano compositions: 4 sonatas, 5 plays, 40 duets and dances, 8 variation cycles.
• About 16 concerts for piano, clarinet, French horn and bassoon.
• 10 works for the orchestra and 12 for the chamber ensemble.

Interesting Facts

Composer Weber was a very unordinary personality with his own peculiarities, advantages and disadvantages.

For example, he hated another's glory. Especially intolerant was Rossini. Weber constantly told friends and acquaintances that Rossini's music was mediocre, that she was just a fashion that would be forgotten in a few years.

Tragic accident led to the fact that Weber lost his beautiful voice. Once in Breslau, the composer was waiting for a friend for dinner, and to not waste time, he sat down to work. Weber quickly froze and decided to warm himself with a sip of wine. But because of the evening twilight he confused the jar with a drink with the one in which his father kept sulfuric acid. The composer took a sip and fell lifeless. When his friend came, no one opened it to his knock, but there was light in the windows. He called for help, the door was opened, and Weber was quickly taken to the hospital. Doctors saved the life of the composer, but the oral cavity, throat and vocal cords were so burned that he until the end of his days had to speak only in a whisper.

Weber was very fond of animals. In his house lived a dog, a cat, many different birds and even a capuchin monkey. Most of all, the composer loved the Indian raven, who could say: "Good evening."

Weber was distinguished by egocentrism. He loved himself so much that he even wrote under the pseudonym laudatory articles about himself, which were printed from time to time in the newspapers. But this was not the only thing. The composer loved himself so much that he named three of his four children by his own names: Maria Caroline, Carl Maria, Caroline Maria.

No doubt, Weber was a very talented musician and composer, who made an invaluable contribution to the development of German art. Yes, this man was not without flaws and differed in vanity, but every genius has his own quirks.