MEYERBEER

Meyerbeer was the most frequently performed opera composer of the 19th century. A child prodigy pianist, he went on to study opera in Italy. His innovative works combined German technique with Italian style, and from about 1817 he used 'Giacomo' in place of 'Jacob'.as his first name. From 1824-1831 he was mostly in Berlin, then in Paris. His long and fruitful association with librettist Eugène Scribe, 1791-1861, began in 1827. His greatest work is 'Les Huguenots', 1836. In 1842 Friedrich Wilhelm IV appointed him Generalmusikdirektor in Berlin, and he divided his time between the two capitals.Karl Theodor Müller was Konzertmeister at Brunswick. Meyerbeer had seen him there as recently as the beginning of April, to oversee a production. Müller and his brothers Theodor (1799-1855), Franz (1808-1855) and August (1802-1875) were a famous String Quartet. In 1828 they give the first public performance of Beethoven's Op. 131.Franz Fesca, whose instrument was the violin, came from a family of musicians well known in Magdeburg. On the 18th March 1844, in Berlin, he played Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata, with Liszt at the piano.(Transcription)Hochgeehrter Herr!Durch unsern gemeinschaftlichen Freund, Konzertmeister Müller, weiß ich längst, mit welcher Einsicht, und welchem begeisterten Eifer Sie sich der Führung Ihres OrchesterVerein's hingeben, und welches großen Verdienst sich dieser Verein um die Veredlung des Kunstgeschmackes in Magdeburg erworben hat.Ich fühle mich daher durch Ihren freundliche Aufforderung wahrhaft geehrt, und würde ihr mit Freuden Folge geleistet haben, wann ich nicht binnen wenig Tagen schon eine weite Reise unternehmen müßte. - Künftiges Jahr indeß hoffe ich die Vaterstadt wieder zu besuchen, und vielleicht findt sich als eine Gelegenheit Ihrem freundlichen Wunsche nachzukommen. Genehmigen Sie indeß geehrter Herr die Versicherungen der ausgezeichneten Hochachtung und WerthschätzungIhresergebensterGiacomo Meyerbeer(Translation)Through our common friend Konzertmeister Müller, I have long known what vision and what inspired enthusiasm you devote to the direction of your Orchestral Society, and how much is due to this Society in improving artistic taste in Magdeburg. I feel truly honoured by your kind invitation, and would have been delighted to take it up, had I not within a few days to undertake a long tour. - However next year I hope to visit your native city again, and then perhaps the opportunity will present itself to fulfil your kind wish Meanwhile accept, dear Sir, the assurance of the especial respect and esteem of your most devotedGiacomo MeyerbeerBerlin, 12th July 1840.