Lortzing in Leipzig

»O! If only there were a revolution in the theatre!«

Albert Lortzing

• > Lortzing in Leipzig

  Lortzing had come to Leipzig in 1833, where he was initially employed as an actor and singer at the city theatre, then also as a conductor from 1844 to 1845, before he was dismissed due to the theatre's financial difficulties and went to Vienna as a conductor. As an actor, he was subscribed to the role of the young lover, often appearing on stage as the title character in Mozart's »Don Giovanni«. In addition to his work as an actor, he also wrote operas. He produced one play a year. However, he also did this out of financial necessity.

  At the time, his family consisted of four children, Lortzing's wife, who had also previously worked as an actress, and his mother, who still performed occasionally. Together with his mother's low income, Lortzing's monthly salary was the equivalent of around 2,000 euros. This was just enough to pay the rent and buy food for the family. Lortzing had to finance all additional expenses through his operas. At the time, it was customary for the theatre to pay a one-off lump sum to the composer and then perform the piece as often as it wanted. Lortzing was always fobbed off with shockingly little, as he was regarded as a composer of the "light muse". Yet some of his plays were huge box office hits and theatre directors often earned a fortune from him.

• > Lortzing-Rezeption

  Anyone who studies the reception of Lortzing will realise that the image painted of the composer fluctuates between two opposing poles. He has often been seen as a cosy, harmless Biedermeier and the political dimension of his works has been completely ignored. Other interpretations, such as those of some scholars from the GDR era, made him out to be a political radical with socialist tendencies. The fact that Lortzing was indeed a political person can be seen from numerous letters and also from his involvement in associations such as the »Tunnel über der Pleiße«, a Leipzig Masonic lodge.

  The fact that he incorporated these views into his works therefore does not seem unusual - however, he was always keen to package the heavy content in an entertaining and light way so that the audience could follow the plot and feel entertained even without understanding the subtle allusions. In this way, Lortzing managed to inspire a »simple« audience in particular with his works. For him, entertainment was probably more important than instruction. Nevertheless, he repeatedly decided to weave provocative thoughts and ideas into his operas. Furthermore, he decided not to create a pompous, ostentatious opera in keeping with the fashion of the time, but to present "simply the truth". This was rather unskilful from a commercial point of view: He thus alienated the influential section of society. Why? Presumably he was and remained a hopeless idealist and free spirit until the end of his life, despite all his financial hardships - but above all a passionate artist.

• > Lortzing-Package

  Exclusive travel offer "Lortzing Weekend in Leipzig 2025"
  Our partner, Leipzig Tourismus Marketing GmbH (LTM), is offering a special travel package for all Lortzing fans travelling from out of town. Everything you need for an unforgettable musical journey is conveniently available from a single source: tickets, hotel, guided tours and more. 
  So just sit back, enjoy your stay in Leipzig, the city of music, and let yourself be enchanted. We look forward to seeing you!

»I have the love of the public to a high degree and have - unfortunately - only too many acquaintances outside the theatre, as the drinking here is almost too bad. I'm popular, so people are looking for me ...«

Albert Lortzing to Pichler, friend from Detmold, about his time in Leipzig