Carl Maria von Weber

Weber, Carl Maria von (1786–1826), German composer, pianist, and conductor who established the romantic opera and paved the way in Germany for Richard Wagner. His operas include Der Freischütz (The Marksman; 1821), Euryanthe (1823), and Oberon (1826). He wrote a number of orchestral and chamber works, notably for the piano, including the well-known Invitation to the Dance (1819).