L'Etoile du Nord, an opera-comique in three acts, premiered at the Paris Opera-Comique on February 16, 1854. The opera was a lighter work than his greatest achievements of the last several years, and was written at a time when he was experimenting with smaller forms. The libretto for the opera was written by Eugene Scribe, and the complete work was in part a revision of an earlier German opera by Meyerbeer. The earlier opera was called Ein Feldlager in Schlesien, and was composed for the reopening of the Berlin Hofoper in 1844. Berlin's major opera house had burned to the ground in 1843 and had to be rebuilt. Meyerbeer was the Generalmusikdirektor of Berlin at the time, so the composition of the opera for the reopening fell to him. Ein Feldlager concerned Frederick the Great, and featured his flute playing exploits as well as his military and amorous achievements. The opera was so successful in Germany that both major French opera houses in Paris asked Meyerbeer to produce a French version for their theaters. Although the plot of Scribe's libretto to L'Etoile du Nord differs significantly from that of Ein Feldlager, the main protagonist is still a major dignitary, this time Peter the Great of Russia, and a talented flautist. Peter the Great wins his lady love in L'Etoile in part with his magical flute playing, the motives of which characterize much of the opera.

The scene for which L'Etoile du Nord is most famous comes in the third act, and is written largely for the lead soprano. Catherine, the romantic lead who will soon become the Empress of Russia, has gone mad, and her impassioned recitative is followed by a virtuosic coloratura aria in which she is accompanied by two similarly virtuosic flute players. The characterization of Catherine throughout the opera is done through her dazzling vocal display and tender love music. Much of the music was originally written for Jenny Lind, a rising soprano star when the earlier German version was produced. The act three trio with the two flutes is the high point of this musical portrait, as Catherine struggles with her sanity, and as her love for Peter brings her back into the life of the real world.

The opera is also characterized by a great deal of variety. The military scenes, like the military scenes in Ein Feldlager, provide opportunity for marches and bombastic, forceful writing. A lighter, comic touch is available through the second pair of lovers, Catherine's brother and his fiancée. Dances, hymns, choruses, spoken dialogue, and lyrical writing are just some of the types of writing that Meyerbeer uses to highlight plot complications, and to provide interest and variety throughout.

L'Etoile du Nord was a smashing success at its premier, as well it might have been. It had been in rehearsal for an entire year, and had been much gossiped about throughout Paris. The expectant public was well rewarded for the long wait. The opera continued to be revived well into the 1880's, and has recently also enjoyed some success.

© All Music Guide