BOLD ECCENTRICITIES

Meyerbeer and the Development
of Parisian Grand Opera,
by GEORGE COLERICK

Jacques Meyerbeer (1791-1864) dominated the Parisian grand opera scene from the 1830s until beyond his death. Yet apart from his letters there is no current book about him in English. Ironically, a near contemporary, Hector Berlioz, was always disregarded by the French musical establishment but is now seen in Britain as a genius of musical innovation. Being also the best musical critic of his time, he wrote of being overwhelmed by the Blessing of the Daggers episode from The Huguenots and praised Meyerbeer's unprecedented use of enlarged orchestra and chorus in the crowd scenes...

GIACOMO MEYERBEER

GERMANY

PARIS

FRANCE