The Forest Maiden

work by Weber

Also known as: “Das Waldmädchen”

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June 26, 2026

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"The Forest Maiden" (Das Waldmädchen) is an early opera by German composer Carl Maria von Weber, composed around 1800. While it is partially extant, it was not a successful work at the time of its premiere in Freiberg. This opera predates Weber's more famous works like Der Freischütz, which is considered the first major German Romantic opera. Weber's operas, including Der Freischütz, Euryanthe, and Oberon, were significant in establishing German Romantic opera by incorporating elements of folklore, supernatural themes, and nationalistic sentiment.12

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Carl Maria von Weber
…first opera, Das Waldmädchen (“The Forest Maiden”), which partially survives. Staged at Freiberg in 1800, it was a failure. On a return visit to Salzburg, Weber completed his first wholly surviving opera, Peter Schmoll und seine Nachbarn, which also failed when it was produced in Augsburg in 1803. Weber…
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…first opera, Das Waldmädchen (“The Forest Maiden”), which partially survives. Staged at Freiberg in 1800, it was a failure. On a return visit to Salzburg, Weber completed his first wholly surviving opera, Peter Schmoll und seine Nachbarn, which also failed when it was produced in Augsburg in 1803. Weber…
Read More