Carl Maria von Weber

Carl Maria von Weber was a cousin of Mozart's wife Constanze and studied under Michael Haydn. Serving as opera director in Prague and Dresden, Weber revolutionized theatrical conducting by introducing the modern conductor's baton and standardizing the physical layout of the orchestral pit.

In 1821, Weber premiered 'Der Freischütz' in Berlin. With its spooky, macabre Wolf's Glen scene, supernatural bullet-casting, German folk legends, and horn-rich orchestration, it became a roaring triumph, establishing German Romantic opera and paving the direct path to Richard Wagner. He died of tuberculosis in London following the premiere of Oberon.