Der Waffenschmied
Music by Albert Lortzing · premiered 1846 · at Theater an der Wien
Der Waffenschmied (The Armourer) is an opera (Singspiel) in three acts by Albert Lortzing. The German-language libretto was by the composer after Friedrich Wilhelm Ziegler's Liebhaber und Nebenbuhler in einer Person (Lover and Rival in One Person). This is often considered his third most popular work. His works are considered to be part of the Biedermeier period. It premiered in Vienna at the Theater an der Wien on 31 May 1846 conducted by Lortzing. The role of Marie was written with Jenny Lind in mind who he hoped would sing the part. The opera was eventually successful enough that Lortzing was offered the post of Kapellmeister at the theatre which he held until the revolution of 1848, when he had to return to Leipzig. Arnold Schoenberg, arranged Lortzing's "Waffenschmied“ for piano for 4 hands. The story is set in the city of Worms in the 16th century.
Text from the Wikipedia article "Der Waffenschmied", licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
About the Composer
Gustav Albert Lortzing (23 October 1801 – 21 January 1851) was a German composer, librettist, actor and singer. He is considered to be the main representative of the German Spieloper, a form similar to the French opéra comique, which grew out of the Singspiel.
Text from the Wikipedia article "Albert Lortzing", licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Other Operas by Albert Lortzing
- Ali Pascha von Janina (1820)
- Der Wildschütz (1842)
- Die Opernprobe (1851)