L’Étoile du Nord is an 1854 opera written by Meyerbeer for the Opéra-Comique.  It follows on from a series of successful grand operas for L’Opéra de Paris.  To some extent it’s an attempt to create something lighter than the early works but the composer doesn’t quite seem able to let go and the work combines comic and serious elements in a way I cannot describe as successful.  Format wise it’s pretty much an opéra-comique with no ballet (though some folk/social dancing) and spoken dialogue. Continue reading →