Lortzing's operas, however popular they remain in their native Germany, have not traveled well to other world venues. Their hearty simplicity contains a certain heaviness that appeals to Germans, but not many others, acclimated to more subtle, more finely crafted operatic works.

Born to a father who was an actor and a member of an amateur theater society, young Albert likewise evinced an early interest in the stage. When the family leather business fell on bad times, both parents entered stage work professionally. Albert, too, undertook dramatic and comedic parts and began to compose incidental music at the request of whichever management the family was working for at the moment. In 1837, his opera Dir beiden Schützen, written two years earlier, brought him a widespread success.

Der Wildschütz (The Poacher), premiered on New Year's Eve 1842, at the Municipal Theatre in Leipzig, is consistent with the stylistic markings that place all of Lortzing's operas in a singular category. For the most part, he furnished his own libretti, in this case one freely adapted from a comedy by August von Kotzebue. While the humor is usually direct and innocent, it is also regional and often naïve to an almost sophomoric degree. What sets Der Wildschütz apart, however, is a higher level of character differentiation. The title figure, Baculus the schoolmaster, is drawn with considerable craft and perception, as well as with a vigor that invites the listener's attention and sympathy. In the music itself, too, one finds more variety and less reliance on one foursquare tune and chorus after another. Still, Lortzing's technical limitations are unavoidable. Lacking formal training—or even the opportunity to study privately at length—his musical foundations were necessarily very basic. Perhaps, the verdict should note that he did remarkably well with what he had.

Wildschütz has both abundant humor and charm. Baculus, an elderly schoolmaster, is engaged to the lovely—and much younger—Gretchen. She is thoroughly honest about having sacrificed romance for security. When Baculus is dismissed for poaching on the lands of the Count of Eberbach, he urges Gretchen to plead with the Count that he be forgiven (he was caught trying to shoot a buck to provide Gretchen with venison for their guests). Baroness Freimann arrives disguised as a student in order to investigate a Baron her brother wishes her to marry. She offers to approach the Count in the guise of Gretchen (a woman impersonating a man impersonating a woman!). The Count takes a liking to her, as does the Baron. After innumerable machinations, the Baron offers 5,000 thalers to Baculus if he renounces his claim to the supposed Gretchen, and Baculus agrees, rejoicing in newfound wealth in his aria "Fünftausend Taler!" The Baroness reveals all and agrees to marry the Baron. Since it was discovered that Baculus had shot his own donkey and not a buck, he is forgiven.

© Erik Eriksson, All Music Guide