Grétry made French _opéra comique_ out of _opéra bouffe_. Among the well known writers of _opéra comique_ in France were François Adrienne Boieldieu, Daniel François Esprit Auber, Louis Joseph Ferdinand Hérold, Jacques François Halévy. Boieldieu (1775–1834) was born in Rouen and became, in 1800, professor of piano at the Paris Conservatory. He wrote piano pieces and operas, and is best known for his _La Dame Blanche_ (“The White Lady”) which is still heard in Paris. His operas combine sweet melody, amusing rhythm with not a little dramatic style. He shows in his works a real understanding of how characters and action should be handled. Auber (1782–1871) called “The Prince of Opéra Comique,” was born in Paris, and later he became the Director of the Conservatory and Imperial Chapel Master to Napoleon III. His best known operas are _Fra Diavolo_, _The Black Domino_, _Masaniello_, or _La Muette de Portici_ (_The Dumb Girl of Portici_). He had great popularity during his day. Hérold (1791–1833) was not as accomplished as either Auber or Boieldieu. He was the son of a piano teacher and studied at the Conservatory under Méhul. In 1812 he won the _Prix de Rome_ (the prize given by the Conservatory for composition, which permitted the student to go to Rome to perfect himself in his art, and to increase his culture, at the expense of the Government.) His best operas are _Zampa_ and _Le Pré aux Clercs_. He was particularly good in orchestration, and his works are still heard. The last one in this group is Jacques François Halévy (1799–1862), who is chiefly famous for _La Juive_ (_The Jewess_), a type of historic opera, even though he wrote many in the style of _opéra comique_. It is still given today, and it was while singing in this opera, at the Metropolitan Opera House that Caruso was stricken with his fatal illness and Martinelli, a few years later was taken ill, and so it is looked upon with superstition by some of the singers. MEYERBEER COMPOSES VERY GRAND “GRAND OPERA” Next, comes Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791–1864), and he followed the historic style that Spontini had begun. He, though a German, captured the French audiences and is famous chiefly for writing grand scenes, rather than for noble music in grand opera. His name was Jacob Liebmann Beer, but he changed it to Meyerbeer. He was the son of a Jewish banker and had no struggle for money as did so many of the composers. He began as a pianist and was also a pupil of Abbé Vogler. He was unsuccessful in Germany, so went to Italy. After an invitation to hear his opera _Il Crociato_ (_The Crusader_) performed in Paris, he took up his residence there.