Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Meyerbeer, Giacomo

MEYERBEER, GIACOMO (mī'er-bār), a German composer; born in Berlin, Prussia. Sept. 5, 1791. His genius showed itself so early that at six years of age he played at a concert, and at nine was one of the best pianists in Berlin. He was taught afterward by Clementi and the Abbé Vogler at Darmstadt. He subsequently visited Italy, and fell under the influence of Rossini, in imitation of whose style he composed several operas. The first work which made him a man of mark was the “Crusade in Egypt.” It was produced at Venice in 1824, and at Paris two years later. Meyerbeer became the favorite composer of the Parisian public, whose taste he satisfied by the popular works which followed, and which are now well known throughout the world. “Robert the Devil” was produced at the opera of Paris in 1831; “The Huguenots” (1833); “The Prophet” (1849); “Star of the North” (1854); and “Dinorah” (1859). He left the manuscript of another great opera, “L'Africaine” (The African Woman), which was produced in Paris in 1865. Besides his operas, Meyerbeer, wrote a “Stabat,” a “Miserere,” a “Te Deum,” an oratorio, cantatas, and many songs. He was supreme in the French opera for more than 30 years, was associate of the Institute, and officer of the Legion of Honor, member of the Academy of Fine Arts at Berlin, and chapelmaster to the King of Prussia. He died in Paris, May 1, 1864.