Der Freischütz was the fi rst great German national opera, breaking the stranglehold of the Italians over the opera world. Its premiere in 1821 was a sensation, and Weber was proclaimed the founder of the German Romantic opera school. Richard Wagner was nine years old when he saw Weber conduct Der Freischütz. When asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Wagner replied: “Not emperor or king, but to stand and conduct like that!” His wish, of course, came true; and when Weber died prematurely at age forty, it was Wagner who conducted the funeral music and delivered the eulogy. Weber’s influence was to live on in Wagner’s music dramas. All releases in the Grand Tier series include a full libretto in the original language and English; stimulating essays on the operas by eminent writers on music; and striking artwork commissioned from Rafal Olbinski. Live performance, Cologne, 1955.