The story begins in the Bohemian woods. The hunter Max is in trouble.
In order to marry Agathe, his lover and the daughter of the forester, he must claim victory at the marksmanship contest the following day. But he has been stuck in a losing streak. Seizing on the opportunity, the hunter Kaspar comes to him with an incredible offer. He tells Max to use "magic bullets" that never miss their target.
Meanwhile, Agathe waits for her lover in her room. Max comes home to find her fretting over a bad premonition.
Despite the pleas of his worried lover, Max left to the woods at night to acquire these magic bullets. Late at night in the Wolf's Glen. Kaspar has made a contract with the demon Samiel to acquire the magic bullets. In exchange for giving up Max as a new sacrifice, he pleads for the contract to be extended and to receive new magic bullets.
The demon responds: "I will control the last of the seven bullets with my mind." He disappears with these words. Max, unaware of any of this, sets out to cast the bullets together with Kaspar. The fateful day of the marksmanship contest arrives.
Where will the magic bullets fly? And what is the fate of Max and Agathe?
As the overture begins, we find ourselves in a German forest —
The memorable performance by the horn quartet opens up the vast beauties of the forest before our very eyes.
The "forest," which holds an important significance for Germans as the birthplace of souls. With the forest as the setting, "Der Freischütz" depicts the daily life of German people of the past based on old folklore. It is an essential work of German opera.
In order to win the marksmanship contest, Max gives in and uses the forbidden magic bullets.
The fate of the magic bullets for which he sold his soul — As the magic bullets are cast, evil spirits fly about the scene, one of many ominous occurrences... A thrilling plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, with romantic, dramatic music adds vivid color to the story. The opera is full of classic arias, such as "Through Woods and Fields," where Max sings of his love to Agathe, and "Slumber Approaching," Agathe's sorrowful song of love, but worthy of special mention is "Hunter's Chorus." The melody of this famous chorus never leaves you after just one listen, touching our hearts. Brought to life in an epic scale with a chorus of 60 singers, creating nothing short of a masterpiece.
You are sure to be drawn into the mystical powers of Weber's music with the power of Maestro Sado's baton.
Directed by Michael Temme and set design by Friedrich Despalmes, a duo invited from the opera's place of origin, Germany and Austria. With the authentic style of the German opera provided by the director, we create a world deep in the decaying German woods after Thirty Years' War, right here in Hyogo. Presented with a rock-solid lineup of vocalists.
The role of Max, in distress after obtaining forbidden magic bullets for the woman he loves, is played by world-famous tenors, Torsten Kerl and Christopher Ventris. The role of Agathe, who believes in Max, is played by distinguished figures in the world of German Opera, Jessica Muirhead and Katharina Hagopian. Ännchen is played by rising sopranos Sara Kobayashi and Maria Rosendorfsky. The role of Kaspar, who leads Max into the world of evil, is played by Tomohiro Takada, a new sensation after his passionate acting as the Count in "The Marriage of Figaro", as well as Joshua Bloom, who received high praise in his role as Quince in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with Yutaka Sado as the artistic director, elevating the level of the prominent cast even further.
Stage model / Magic bullet casting scene at Wolf's Glen
Stage model / Agathe's room
stage model : design by Friedrich Despalmes