19th-Century German Opera—Nationalism and Experimentation

Overview

German-language opera developed late in comparison with Italian and French opera because it evolved, not by imitating and adapting Italian opera plots and musical style, but by experimentation with uniquely German elements. German Romantic opera uses the spoken dialogue of German singspiel and bases its plots on German legend. Its supernatural element is critical to the development of the drama, and its depiction of a wild and uncontrolled nature is another distinctive factor. German Romantic opera was established with Carl Maria von Weber’s hugely influential Der Freischütz of 1821.