Mistakes, political masquerades, and a healthy dose of humor: with Albert Lortzing's "Zar und Zimmermann" (The Tsar and the Carpenter), the Deutsche Oper Berlin brings one of the most successful musical comedies of the 19th century to the stage—a work full of wit, catchy melodies, and timeless characters.
Albert Lortzing's opera "Zar und Zimmermann" (The Tsar and the Carpenter), which premiered in 1837, was long an integral part of the German-language opera repertoire. Today, the work is much less frequently found on theater programs—even though it ranks among the best-known comic operas of its time, with famous numbers such as the "Wooden Shoe Dance" and the aria "Farewell, My Flemish Girl."
The story takes place at a Dutch shipyard, where Russian Tsar Peter the Great poses incognito as a simple carpenter in order to learn the trade. There he meets a deserter from his own army, who also happens to be named Peter. The confusion between the two men triggers a series of turbulent situations, while various political interests and personal relationships become entangled.
Despite all the comedic turmoil, Lortzing's characters remain remarkably human. The young deserter longs for a peaceful life, Marie confidently stands up for her own decisions, and even behind the Tsar's incognito, the authority of a powerful ruler shines through. The ensemble of characters is complemented by Mayor van Bett, who appears as an amiable caricature of authoritarian administration.
At the Deutsche Oper Berlin, conductor Antonello Manacorda and director Martin G. Berger are revisiting this masterpiece. While Manacorda brings his experience with historical performance practice and the musical precision of comic opera to bear, Berger combines elements from opera, operetta, and musical theater in his production—an approach that brings fresh energy to Lortzing's humorous and at the same time human opera.
Premiere June 20
Further performances: June 25 and 27, July 2, 9, and 11, 2026
