Peter the Great goes slumming in the comic opera “Zar und Zimmermann” (Tsar and Carpenter). Apropos of the title, the Russian Tsar goes undercover as a common laborer in a Dutch shipyard in order to learn shipbuilding techniques to fulfill his dream of making Russia a maritime power.

The opera is one of the most enduring of Albert Lortzing (1801-1951). Lortzing himself sang the role of “the carpenter” during the work’s premiere. We’ll celebrate Lortzing’s birthday today, as well as that of American composer Ned Rorem, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

PHOTO: Monument of Peter the Great building a boat in St. Petersburg