Handout (flat) Handout (folded) Return to Index

Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791–1864) was born and trained in Germany, gained practical experience of opera in Italy, and then moved to Paris where, in 1831, he premiered Robert le diable, a triumphant success that established him as the premier composer of grand opéra—a new genre uniting Italian vocalism and German orchestration to the French appetite for spectacle, theatrical effect, and sumptuous use of the chorus and ballet.

French, Italian, and even German opera composers vied to follow in Meyerbeer's footsteps for most of the 19th century, but while many of their operas remained in the repertoire, his didn't; they were too cumbersome, too expensive, and no longer appealed to popular taste. Recently, however, they have been making a comeback, not least in the hands of directors like Laurent Pelly, who realize that Meyerbeer's particular secret was knowing how to give audiences a good time!

This week's handout (links above) contains a synopsis of the opera. There is also a trailer for the London production we shall watch in class. rb.

Handout (flat) Handout (folded) Class Script

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Slim pickings, I'm afraid. The London production is available complete only on DVD, but there is a trailer, two brief documentaries (see especially the one featuring the director, Laurent Pelly), and one substantial clip from the end of Act One.

I also include a concert performance of Isabelle's Act IV aria, "Robert, toi que j'aime," sung by Diana Damrau, who was originally scheduled for the role in the London production. It is an exquisite piece, whose accompaniment is often scarcely more than cor anglais and harp, and has the advantage of being something from an act we did not otherwise get to hear.

The only complete video of the opera on YouTube hails from Paris in 1985. You would not think that is especially long ago, but the quality can best be described as sepia-on-sepia and the sound is little better. But the antique production is worth a glance as proof positive of why Meyerbeer fell out of favor before the arrival of inventive modern directors like Pelly. The separate audio from the same production, however, is quite decent.

LONDON PRODUCTION
	Clips	Trailer Sicilienne and Act I finale
	Documentaries	Interview with director, Laurent Pelly Interviews with singers &c. (longer)

OTHER VIDEOS
	Robert, toi que j'aime	Isabelle's Act IV aria (Diana Damrau in concert)
	Paris 1985	Complete production (warning: see note above!) Audio of the above (much better)


IMAGES
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