The Gymnasium of Frankfurt am Main brought early musical training to this composer, singer, physician. He may have studied with Johann Philipp Krieger later having achieved the position of Hofkapellmeister at Gottorf. By 1690 Fortsch was the leading figure in opera composition in Hamburg composing a minimum of 12 operas. The operas have been lost as have been numerous copies of arias from the operas. Some, fortunately were published by Wolff and demonstrate Fortsch's use of definitive melodic strains and a measured employment of rhythm and harmony to properly delineate the text. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi