Three Peters for the price of one: Lortzing's Zar und Zimmermann

Zar und Zimmermann at Deutsche Oper Berlin

By Elena Luporini, 22 June 2026

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Antonello Manacorda... visibly at ease with a score that owes much to Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini”

Reviewed at Deutsche Oper, Berlin on 20 June 2026

Lortzing, Zar und Zimmermann (Tsar and Carpenter)

Deutsche Oper Berlin

Antonello Manacorda, Conductor

Martin G Berger, Director, Peter the Great

Sarah-Katharina Karl, Set Designer

Esther Bialas, Costume Designer

Sascha Zauner, Lighting Designer

Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Chor der Deutschen Oper Berlin

Vincent Stefan, Video

Daniel Schmutzhard, Peter the Great

Philipp Kapeller, Peter Ivanov

Patrick Zielke, Van Bett

Nadja Mchantaf, Marie

Jared Werlein, General Lefort

Padraic Rowan, Lord Syndham

Kieran Carrel, Marquis de Chateauneuf

Stephanie Wake-Edwards, Widow Browe

Marie Christin Zeisset, Choreography

L’italiana in Algeri in the wrestling ring at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Zenaida des Aubris, 8th March

A classic opera buffa gets an update by Rolando Villazón to a produce a staging that celebrates the timeless vitality of Rossini’s comic imagination.

****1

Between ecstasy and abyss: Korngold’s Violanta at the Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 25th January

David Hermann directs a new production of Korngold’s teenage opera, conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

****1

Giordano's Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 27th November

A new production of Fedora at the Deutsche Oper Berlin warms up the cold German winter, featuring strong lead performances by Vida Miknevičiūtė and Jonathan Tetelman.

***11

Thalheimer’s directs a static new Berlin Tristan und Isolde

Zenaida des Aubris, 1st November

At the start of his farewell to Deutsche Oper Berlin, Sir Donald Runnicles shines with his orchestra, supplying the passion and tension withheld in Michael Thalheimer’s production.

****1

Anatomy of a love: Rebecca Saunders’ Lash at Deutsche Oper Berlin

Elena Luporini, 20th June

Nearing the close of the season, Deutsche Oper Berlin premieres Rebecca Saunders’ first opera Lash – Acts of Love, a visceral reflection on love and death.

*****

Upstairs, downstairs: Die Frau ohne Schatten at Deutsche Oper

Zenaida des Aubris, 26th January

Tobias Kratzer gives his third Strauss production in three seasons at Deutsche Oper Berlin another contemporary spin.

****1

More reviews...

Elena Luporini

After completing their Master's degree in Musicology in Rome, Elena has now moved to Berlin to dedicate themselves to more things musical. With a publication on Béla Bartók and a seminar at the Humboldt-Universität underway, their interests mostly veer toward 20th-century opera, with some forays into queer musicology. Some of their latest undertakings also include oboe lessons, stencil-making and tea-making.

Three Peters for the price of one: Lortzing's Zar und Zimmermann at Deutsche Oper Berlin