Foundation of a Meyerbeer Society
The first Giacomo Meyerbeer Society is launched with a ceremony at the Deutsche Oper Berlin on September 5. It aims to help the work of the German-Jewish composer gain more attention.
In the public consciousness, writes the society, Giacomo Meyerbeer has so far been remembered almost exclusively as a composer of grand opera. The fact that he also composed religious songs is virtually unknown and is only now being rediscovered. In his day, Meyerbeer was very well connected with the most important composers and intellectuals.
In the synagogues of the world, however, Giacomo Meyerbeer was an integral part of the service. His family also played an important role during Meyerbeer's lifetime. They set standards in terms of musical salon culture in historic Berlin, comparable to the Mendelssohn Bartholdy family, and were also an important cultural figure and patron of German-Jewish scientific and cultural history.
To this day, Meyerbeer's reputation suffers from anti-Jewish resentment. The patron of the society is the director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Dietmar Schwarz.
More info: meyerbeer-society.com
