Gian Marchet Colani – a hunters' opera after Carl Maria von Weber's 'Der Freischütz'

Opera Engiadina produces a hunters' opera around hunting season in October 2026, in collaboration with the Graubünden Hunters' Association, which is also acting as patron. The inspiration comes from Carl Maria von Weber's famous opera 'Der Freischütz.' The story is adapted to the 'King of the Bernina,' the legendary Engadine hunter Gian Marchet Colani from Pontresina (1772–1835), who was said to have shot with enchanted bullets, which matches the motif of the magic bullets in 'Der Freischütz.' At the heart of the opera are the famous Wolf's Gorge scene, which will take place here in the Ova da Bernina gorge near Pontresina, and the popular hunters' chorus, sung for the first time in Romansh by Engadine and Graubünden hunters.