Regina is an opera in three acts by Albert Lortzing who also wrote the libretto.

The first production of the original opera was in 1998 at the Musiktheater im Revier in Gelsenkirchen.

In the beginning of the opera, workers are on strike and demand higher wages and general changes in the society.

The foreman Richard, who is betrothed with Regina, the daughter of the factory owner, is able to appease the irate mood of the crowd.

Another foreman, Stephan, who is also in love with Regina, joins a free corps that consists of political insurgents and occupies the factory.

A battle begins during which the factory is set on fire and Regina kidnapped.

Regina tries to convince her abductor to change his mind when suddenly a simple employee enters the cabin and is mocked by the soldiers.

Richard and his men, keen to liberate Regina, approach their hiding place and surround it whereupon Stephan threatens everyone to blow up the ammunition dump.

The opera closes with a patriotic song exalting the fight for a united and democratic Germany:[1]

Forward, arm yourself and grab the sword, Let us protect the fatherland with hasty pace.

Due to political reasons, Regina was edited heavily by Adolphe L'Arronge.

Later editions were also heavily manipulated in order to fit the respective zeitgeist and the régime in power.

The first staging of the original opera occurred on 13 March 1998 at the Musiktheater im Revier Gelsenkirchen, directed by Peter Konwitschny.