Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791-1864) was a German opera composer of Jewish origin who has been described as perhaps the most successful stage composer of the 19th century. From 1831 until his death, he remained a dominant figure in the world of opera. His contemporary Hector Berlioz summarized his public career with the words that he "not only had the good fortune to be talented, but also the talent to be lucky." His works made him the most frequently performed composer at the world's leading opera hou...