Born:
September 5, 1791
Birthplace:
Tasdorf, near Berlin
Died:
May 2, 1864 in Paris, France
Also known as:
His real name was Jakob Liebmann Meyer Beer; composer of the Romantic period known for the "grand
operas." He was born into an affluent Jewish family and became one of the richest men in Europe. He became general music director of the King of Prussia in 1842.
Type of Compositions:
He is known for his French grand operas.
Influence:
Meyerbeer began writing operas in his teens and pursued his music studies in Berlin and Darmstadt. In 1816 he went to Italy where he wrote several operas based on
Rossini's style. His compositions influenced other composers such as
Hector Berlioz.
Notable Works:
His works include "Il crociato in Egitto" (The Crusader in Egypt), "Robert le Diable" (libretti by Eugène Scribe), "Les Huguenots," "Ein Feldlager in Schlesien" (with soprano Jenny lind as the main character), "Le Prophète," "L’Etoile du nord" and "Le Pardon de Ploërmel."
Interesting Facts:
His opera "L’Africaine" opened in 1865 after Meyrbeers death and was revived in the 20th century.
Carl Maria von Weber was one of Meyerbeer's friends.
Related Video:
Listen to Giacomo Meyerbeer's "
L' Africaine" courtesy of YouTube.
