Albert Lortzing Anniversary 2026
Four Historic DG Recordings Available Digitally for the First Time
To mark the double Albert Lortzing anniversary in 2026, Deutsche Grammophon is making four historic opera highlights recordings of major works by the composer—Der Wildschütz, Der Waffenschmied and Undine—available digitally for the first time, or for the first time in complete form.
Der Wildschütz (The Poacher) (1965)
Available 24 July 2026
This 1965 highlights recording brings together some of the most important singers and character artists of its era. Rita Streich and Kurt Böhme portray the immensely comic pair Gretchen and Baculus, while Irmgard Seefried's carefree Baroness Freimann encounters the world-weary Baron Kronthal, portrayed by Ernst Haefliger.
ALBERT LORTZING
Christoph Stepp
Der Wildschütz
(Highlights)
Irmgard Seefried · Rita Streich
Claudia Hellmann · Ernst Haefliger
Horst Gunter · Kurt Böhme
Bamberg Philharmonic Choir
Bamberger Symphoniker
Christoph Stepp
Der Waffenschmied (The Armourer) (1963)
Available 31 July 2026
This 1963 highlights recording features some of the era’s most distinguished singers, including Gundula Janowitz, Thomas Stewart and Josef Greindl. Equally impressive are the Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin and the RIAS Kammerchor, which bring the armourer’s workshop vividly to life.
ALBERT LORTZING
Christoph Stepp
Der Waffenschmied
(Highlights)
Gundula Janowitz · Sieglinde Wagner
Martin Vantin · Thomas Stewart
Josef Greindl
RIAS Kammerchor
Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin
Christoph Stepp
ALBERT LORTZING
Victor Reinshagen
Undine
(Highlights)
Anny Schlemm · Walther Ludwig
Hans Braun · Toni Blankenheim
Chor der Bayerischen Staatsoper
Bamberger Symphoniker
Victor Reinshagen
Together, these releases make important documents of German operatic performance history available in digital form to a global audience for the first time.