He was a star composer of the 19th century: Giacomo Meyerbeer. This bust was made for his obsequies in Paris. He was buried in Berlin at the Jewish Cemetery on Schönhauser Allee. Meyerbeer was a cosmopolitan. At an early age his grandfather recognised and supported his talent. The young Jakob Meyer Beer became the conductor and composer Giacomo Meyerbeer. He had his breakthrough in Italy as an opera composer. In Paris he became a star. The secret of Meyerbeers’ success was his creativity: Once, he dared to have an anti-hero as protagonist of an opera. The audience was thrilled. He also incorporated historical topics, like the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Today, Giacomo Meyerbeer is considered the major inventor of the Grand Opera. His stories were all about the human condition. Before the First World War his operas were among the most frequently played in Europe. For his achievements Meyerbeer received the highest Prussian honours. After he died, Berliners paid him their last respects: a large crowd gathered to accompany his coffin to the Jewish cemetery.