Carl Maria von Weber

Carl Maria Friedrich Ernest von Weber (?November 19 1786 – June 5 1826) was a German composer, born in the town of Eutin, near Lübeck. He was a critical figure in the development of musical Romanticism, and influenced many composers of his and of subsequent generations, including Wagner, Liszt and Berlioz. He was best known in the 19th century for his operas, including Der Freischütz, an international sensation at the time, and Euryanthe, Oberon, King of the Fairies, Silvana, and Die drei Pintos. His numerous overtures, with their adventurous use of tone color, influenced the development of the symphonic poem.

Final years

Weber's third and last dramatic masterpiece was an English opera, written for Covent Garden theatre, based on a libretto adapted by Blanche from Christoph Martin Wieland's Oberon. It was disfigured by the spoken dialogue abandoned in Euryanthe; but in musical beauty it is quite equal to it, while its fairies and mermaids are as vividly real as the spectres in Der Freischütz. Though gravely ill, Weber began to compose the music on January 23 1825. Charles Kemble had offered him 1000 pounds for the work, and he could not afford to rest. He finished the overture in London, at the house of Sir George Smart, soon after his arrival, in March 1826; and on April 12 the work was produced with triumphant success. But it cost the composer his life. Worn out by rehearsals and performances of the opera, and concerts at which he was received with rapturous applause, he grew perceptibly weaker by the day; and, notwithstanding the care of his kind host, Sir George Smart, and his family, he was found dead in his bed on the morning of June 5, 1826. For eighteen years, his remains rested in a temporary grave in Moorfields chapel; but in 1844, they were removed and placed in the family vault in Dresden, Wagner making an eloquent speech.

Related Topics:
Covent Garden - Christoph Martin Wieland - January 23 - 1825 - London - April 12 - June 5 - 1844 - Wagner

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Besides his three great dramatic masterpieces and the other works already mentioned, Weber wrote two masses, two symphonies, eight cantatas, and a large number of songs, orchestral and pianoforte pieces, as well as music of other kinds, amounting altogether to more than 250 compositions.

Related Topics:
Symphonies - Cantata - Song

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