Giacomo Meyerbeer under Anti-Semitism

• Main Authors: Wei-Shen Chen, 陳韋伸
• Other Authors: 陳希茹
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/83817771817620200911

碩士 === 高雄師範大學 === 音樂學系 === 97 === Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864) is the most important representative of French Grand Opera. His compositions had been performed all over the world and were put in the spotlight of discussion by the music critics at that time as well. In this way, it accelerated the development of the music critics. In addition, Giacomo Meyerbeer supported many musicians and litterateurs who became more and more salient in this field, such as Richard Wagner (1813-1883), Jenny Lind (1820-1887), and Heinrich Heine (1797-1856). According to the very personal contributions mentioned above, Giacomo Meyerbeer played a significant role of the musical milieu during the nineteenth century. Matthias Brzoska had argued, “Giacomo Meyerbeer is as important as a leading role for European music history in the nineteenth century.” However, since the 19th century, the compositions of the once popular opera composer were performed in concerts as rare as an “extinct volcano”. Moreover, his name was seldom present in western music history. The conversion of his music status in the sense of his popularity, revealed a concern of his Semitic background, that is: The anti-Semitism might have dominant impact on the value of musical contribution of Giacomo Meyerbeer in the nineteenth century. This concern makes me focus on the relationship between the contribution of Giacomo Meyerbeer and the issue of anti-Semitism. The severe and negative critics from the anti-Semitism in Germany against him had effects on the critics of later generation, but also on Meyerbeer’s musical contribution in the 19th century. Therefore, in the approach of anti-Semitism, I will identify his prominent contributions and his significant status in the musical culture in the nineteenth century through representation of his compositional techniques for Grand Opera, the contribution of his compositions to the musical criticism, and his patronage for coming musicians and litterateurs.