Weber and His Future Wife
Donald Macleod focuses on Weber's time as director at the opera in Prague, during which period he first encountered his future wife, the singer Caroline Brandt.
He became an international celebrity through his success in the world of German opera, and his explorations into novel instrumental timbres greatly enriched orchestral music, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Carl Maria von Weber.
Weber's reputation as a composer was starting to rise. In 1812 he travelled to Gotha at the invitation of the Duke of Saxe-Gotha. The Duke was a colourful character who liked to shock his court by dyeing his hair different colours, and by dressing up. He also had a great passion for music and Weber found himself kept very busy, including work on his Piano Concerto No 2.
By 1813 Weber was offered a new role, and one much more to his liking, the post of Director at the Opera in Prague. Standards at the opera had declined and Weber relished the challenge ahead of him. It was during this period that Weber first encountered his future wife, the singer Caroline Brandt. She approached the opera company, looking for work in Prague, and was quickly signed up.
Eventually, Weber tired of his problems at the Opera and moved on to the royal court in Dresden. There were again many obstacles to overcome in Dresden, not least the aristocracy's preference for only Italian music, but it was here that Weber would compose his most successful opera to date, Der Freischütz.
Last on
Music Played
-
![]()
Carl Maria von Weber
Preciosa - Incidental Music J.279
Performer: Jean‐Jacques Kantorow. Orchestra: Tapiola Sinfonietta.- BIS: SACD1760.
- BIS SACD1760.
- 8.
-
![]()
Carl Maria von Weber
Concerto No. 2 In E Flat Major Op.32 - 2nd movement; Adagio
Performer: Peter Rösel. Performer: BBC Philharmonic. Conductor: András Ligeti. -
![]()
Carl Maria von Weber
Leyer Und Schwert - Book 1 J.174-7, Op.41 no.1;
Performer: Graham Johnson. Singer: Gerald Finley.- Hyperion: CDJ33052.
- Hyperion.
- 27.
-
![]()
Carl Maria von Weber
Quintet In B Flat Major Op.34 For Clarinet And Strings (J.182)
Ensemble: Gaudier Ensemble.- HYPERION : CDA-67464.
- HYPERION.
- 2.
-
![]()
Carl Maria von Weber
Der Freischutz - Opera In 3 Acts J.277 - extract act 3
Singer: Helen Donath. Singer: Kurt Moll. Singer: Peter Meven. Singer: René Kollo. Singer: Hildegard Behrens. Singer: Wolfgang Brendel. Choir: Bavarian Radio Chorus. Singer: Hermann Sapell. Singer: Raimund Grumbach. Orchestra: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Rafael Kubelík.- Decca: 4171192.
- 2.
Broadcasts
- Wed 18 Mar 2015 12:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 18 Mar 2015 18:30BBC Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.