First performed in Berlin in 1821, Weber's "Der Freischütz" quickly became one of the most celebrated German operas, and its overture one of the most popular in all of music literature. The fresh and limpid music evokes the fairy-tale setting of the opera, with its ghosts, evil spirits, seven charmed bullets, loving couple, friendly hermit and happy ending. This recording with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra dates from 1975 and is part of an "overture" special directed by Herbert von Karajan.