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Applause!

Well, he only became a true master much later, but Carl Maria von Weber composed his first opera “The silent forest maiden” (Das stumme Waldmädchen) in Freiberg at the tender age of 14. The work even made it to the stage in the local theatre.
Until 1790 the theatre was situated in the city store. Before this building had to be closed due to fire hazards it saw many shows and recitals. Even one of the earliest theatre companies, that of actress Friederike Caroline Neuber, performed here.
The “real” theatre was build due to the enthusiasm of master cutler Engler. With the earnings from his powder mill he paid for the conversion of the house at the Buttermarkt and sold the new theatre facilities one year later to the city. So the oldest city theatre in the world since 1790 is located in Freiberg.