Giacomo Meyerbeer Program Notes and Sheet Music

Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864) was a German-born composer who lived and worked in France for most of his career. He was one of the most successful opera composers of the 19th century, and his works were known for their lavish staging and dramatic flair.

Meyerbeer was born in Berlin to a wealthy Jewish family. He studied music with some of the leading composers of the day, including Carl Maria von Weber and Luigi Cherubini. In 1816, he moved to Italy, where he began composing operas. His first opera, Il crociato in Egitto (The Crusader in Egypt), was a success, and it launched his career.

In 1825, Meyerbeer moved to Paris. He quickly became one of the most popular composers in the city, and his operas were performed at the prestigious Paris Opéra. His most famous operas include Robert le diable (1831), Les Huguenots (1836), and Le prophète (1849).

Meyerbeer's operas were known for their lavish staging and dramatic flair. He often used large orchestras and choruses, and he was not afraid to use special effects, such as stage machinery and pyrotechnics. His operas were also known for their historical settings and their exotic locales.

Meyerbeer's operas were not without their critics. Some found them to be too sensational and melodramatic. Others criticized his use of special effects and his reliance on spectacle. However, Meyerbeer's operas were immensely popular with audiences, and they helped to define the genre of grand opera.

Meyerbeer died in Paris in 1864. He was one of the most successful and influential composers of the 19th century, and his operas continue to be performed today.