Armstrong 1

Ashley Armstrong

Mr. Ratica

Computer Applications

February 23, 2017

Hector Berlioz

Love, fear, peace, death - music. This is the life of Hector Berlioz, the famed French

composer of the early 19th century. Berlioz wrote such famous pieces as Symphonie Fantastique,

Roméo et Juliette, and La Damnation de Faust. Also as famous are his escapades of love, both

real and imagined. Though he only married twice, both marriages were eventful as well. Quite

possibly because of his outlandish lifestyle, Berlioz became one of the most popular composers

of the romantic era.

Louis-Hector Berlioz was born on December 11, 1803 to a physician and his wife. The

Berlioz’s home town was La Côte-Saint-André, France, a small town in the French Alps.

(Barzun, 2006) Berlioz himself, in his memoirs, states “La Côte-Saint-André is built on the slope

of a hill, and dominates a fairly wide plain – a rich, golden and lush expanse of land, whose

silence conveys a sense of dreamy grandeur, further enhanced by the surrounding chain of

mountains to the south and east, behind which rise in the distance, laden with glaciers, the

gigantic peaks of the Alps.” (Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870) This very beautiful and poetic description

is perhaps a result of the fact that Berloz was raised around a good deal of musical and written

artworks. Though he was no Mozart, raised by musical parents to become a musician, Berlioz’s

father took his son’s education upon himself. Through his father’s homeschooling, Berlioz

learned “languages, literature, history, geography, and … even music!” Though he initially
 Armstrong 2

wanted to sail to distant islands, poetry “diverted [Berlioz] from these overseas dreams.”

(Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870)

Berlioz’s education in instrumental music started, as did that of many people, with a kind

of recorder. At about 12 years of age, Berlioz discovered an instrument called a flageolet, which

is apparently similar to a clarinet. His father taught him the basics of the instrument and by

learning from several music teachers hired by community members, Berlioz also soon became

quite proficient in flute and guitar. (Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870) While he would later make a

living from music, it was during this time that Berlioz discovered something else that would

greatly impact the rest of his life: love. Berlioz often spent part of the summertime in Meylan, a

village about 40 miles east of La Côte-Saint-André. It was on one of these summery vacations

that Berlioz met Estelle Dubœuf. Referred to in his memoirs as Mdme. F., due to her marriage to

a M. Fornier, Estelle was the younger niece of a neighbor in Meylan. She was also Berlioz's first

crush, and six years older than him. Berlioz felt as if everyone, including his own mother, teased

him for what he felt was "a love beyond his strength." While this love may not have been

anything more than a crush, Berlioz never forgot Estelle nor the pink boots that she was

accustomed to wearing. (Tayeb & Austin, 2017)

Berlioz wanted to be a musician, but his father insisted that he become a doctor. The

younger Berlioz was revolted, but agreed to seriously study to be a doctor. His father did,

however, have to bribe him by saying that if Berlioz pursued his medical studies, he would

receive a new flute. At his first attempt at a dissection of a human corpse, in very disgusting

conditions, Berlioz was so repelled that he climbed out of a window. He went about his second

dissection much better, only throwing a shoulder blade at a rat. Berlioz still was not particularly
 Armstrong 3

thrilled with being forced to be a doctor, but from then on, he continued his studies “if not with

interest, at least with a stoic resignation.” (Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870)

During his time as a medical student, Berlioz happened to go to the opera, where he saw

a portrayal of Les Danaides, by Antonio Salieri. This performance rekindled in Berlioz his deep

love of music. Berlioz longed to keep his promise to his father, but on learning that the library of

the Paris Conservatoire was open to the public, he began spending time there and eventually

abandoning medicine all together. (Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870)

Berlioz eventually became a student under Jean-François Le Sueur, a teacher at the Paris

Conservatoire. Berlioz, during this time, wrote an opera based on the writing Estelle de Florian

and memories of his own Estelle. However, when he planned to talk to François-Joseph Talma

about producing his opera, Berlioz lost his confidence. Next, Berlioz was approached by one M.

Masson, the chapel-master of the church of Saint-Roch, about composing a mass. Berlioz

happily wrote the mass, which was based on his teacher Le Sueur's style. Renowned conductor

M. Valentino was hired to conduct the performance, which was to be performed by "the choir-

children of Saint-Roch, & c." However, due to copying errors, the rehearsal was a fiasco.

(Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870)

Eventually, Berlioz did succeed in producing his Mass. This went over very well with his

family, especially his father who had wanted him to be a doctor. However, another occurrence

happened "to revive [his family's opposition], by redoubling the discontent of my parents."

Berlioz had taken the preliminary test for a "musical composition competition which takes place

every year at the Institute" (Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870) - and failed. His father said he would

revoked his son's financial support if he stayed in Paris studying music. After meeting with his

parents, Berlioz finally had had enough. He said it was impossible not to return to Paris to be a
 Armstrong 4

musician. However, Berlioz recalls, “‘You must do well with this idea,' said my father, 'for you

will never return!' " After being told he could not pursue his love of music, Berlioz admits "I fell

into an almost complete taciturnity, scarcely answering the questions addressed to me, eating no

more, spending part of my days wandering in the fields and woods, and the rest locked up in my

room . To tell the truth, I had no plans; the dull fermentation of my thought, and the constraint

which I underwent, seemed to have entirely obscured my intelligence. Even my fury was

extinguished, and I perished by lack of air." Several days later, Berlioz was called to his father’s

office, where he heard the words he desperately wanted to hear. “‘I consent to let you study

music in Paris.'” Mme. Berlioz, on the other hand, a staunch Catholic and believer that "actors,

actresses, singers, musicians, poets, composers, were abominable creatures, struck by the Church

of excommunication, and as predestined to hell," cursed him before he left to Paris. (Berlioz,

Mémoires, 1870)

One of Berlioz's most famous operas is made up of five scenes from William

Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. These five scenes are titled Introduction,

Romeo alone – Festivities at the Capulets, Love Scene, Queen Mab Scherzo, and Romeo at the

tomb of the Capulets. Introduction sets the stage, with the Montague and Capulet families

constantly fighting. Romeo alone – Festivities at the Capulets brings us to Romeo Montague,

alone in the first section, mulling over his unrequited love of Rosaline, a friend of the Capulets.

The music speeds up as a party at the Capulet home is being held. It is here that Romeo and

Juliet meet, leading to the Love Scene. In Queen Mab Scherzo, the story of Queen Mab, the

queen of dreams, is told. Finally, in Romeo at the tomb of the Capulets, Romeo sees his last of

Juliet, who he presumes is dead. Here, he and Juliet both kill themselves, because they refuse to

live without each other. In 1839, Berlioz’s opera Roméo et Juliette premiered. It was made
 Armstrong 5

possible by a “generous gift of 20,000 francs by [Niccolò] Paganini.” (Tayeb & Austin, 2017)

Paganini himself had a very interesting life story, supposedly trading his soul to Satan for

“magical musical powers”. (Rayborn, 2016)

Berlioz was at a play one night, Shakespeare's Hamlet, when he spotted Harriet

Smithson, an Irish Shakespearean actress. Berlioz, in quite the display of love, took up residence

at 96 rue de Richelieu, right across the street from Smithson, simply so he could watch her arrive

home and go to bed. (Clarson-Leach, 1983)

It is often theorized, and it makes sense, that one of Berlioz's most famous works,

Symphonie Fantastique was written about Berlioz's imagined relationship with Smithson. The

basic story line of Symphonie Fantastique is that a young artist sees a beautiful woman at a ball,

whom he is instantly in love with. The woman rejects him, causing him to become high on

opium. He dreams he has killed the woman, and is now sentenced to death. In what can quite

possible be called similar to the band My Chemical Romance's song, Welcome to The Black

Parade, the artist is taken on a morbid march to the guillotine. His final thought as his head

tumbles off is of his love. But the story is not over yet. The artist, through the opium high,

experiences his own funeral, attended by ghouls, ghosts, witches, and the woman he killed. Only

now, to the motif of a Gregorian chant, the beloved woman presides over his funeral. (Berlioz &

Story, Program Notes, 1830)

For the time being, Berlioz's love for Smithson was put on hold when he met Camille

Mokke, a woman who courted him, more or less on a dare. The couple did end up engaged, but

Berlioz, receiving the Prix de Rome award, had to leave to Italy for the next two years.

Sometime into this stay, he received a letter from Mokke's mother, saying she was to be married

to a man named, ironically, Camille Pleyel. (Clarson-Leach, 1983) In the typical passionate
 Armstrong 6

fashion of his, Berlioz immediately made plans to murder both Camille’s and his fiancé’s

mother. However, having left his disguise on a carriage, Berlioz then attempted to commit

suicide by jumping off of a cliff – where he was saved from drowning by some local fishermen.

After that, he decided that his oppressors were not worthy to be killed by him and he did not

want to be remembered as a monster. So he went back to composing and Harriet Smithson, who

this time, agreed to marry him. (Rayborn, 2016)

Berlioz and Smithson were married in 1833. The lovers faced opposition from their

families, neither of which apparently approved of the marriage. (Rayborn, 2016) Also, as Harriet

was Irish, she spoke English, which the French Berlioz did not understand a word of. (Harriet

Smithson, n.d.) However, they lived fairly happily for about eight years. (Rayborn, 2016)

Though the couple was happy for a time, life was not perfect. The real Smithson could

not compare to Berlioz’s imagined love, which he created in Symphonie Fantastique. He thought

he loved his wife, but in truth, Berlioz was in love with the idea of her, not Harriet herself.

Berlioz began an affair with Marie Recio, a singer. (Tayeb & Austin, n.d.)

Berlioz’s affair with Recio brought on a period of alcoholism in his poor wife. Two years

later, in 1844, Smithson and Berlioz separated. Smithson, who had reached the peak of her

performing career before she married Berlioz was now poor, jobless, and taken to drinking.

About ten years after their split, “poor dejected Smithson died of a stroke.” (Rayborn, 2016)

Berlioz finally married Recio in 1854. In 1862, Recio died of a heart attack.

It was on a trip to Germany, Austria, and the surrounding countries that Berlioz wrote the

piece La Damnation de Faust. He records writing where ever, and whenever, “In the carriage, on

the railway, on steamboats, and even in the towns.” (Berlioz, Mémoires, 1870) Berlioz used what
 Armstrong 7

ideas came to him, then cleaned and refined later. Though it was not originally an opera, it has

become one of his most famous pieces. In four movements, it tells the story of Faust, a depressed

man who has fallen in love with a woman who is a convicted murderer. The opera was based on

a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of the most renowned poets of the time. In the first

part, Faust is wandering a joyous Hungarian landscape, but he cannot participate in the

happiness. In part two, a depressed Faust plans to poison himself. However, he is cheered by

Easter hymns. Mephistopheles, a demonic man, finds Faust and promises to make him happy.

Faust is revolted by the tavern scene Mephistopheles presents to him with. However,

Mephistopheles lulls Faust into a sleep, where he dreams of Marguerite, a beautiful woman. In

part three, Mephistopheles magically brings Faust to Marguerite, who is now in love with Faust.

In part four, Faust learns that Marguerite is sentenced to death for murdering her own mother.

Faust, wishing to save her, begs Mephistopheles to help him. Faust then gives Mephistopheles

his soul in exchange for Marguerite's soul. Faust rides on horseback with Mephistopheles

towards eternal damnation as Marguerite is welcomed into Heaven. (Riding & Dunton-Downer,

2006)

In a very sad way, many of Berlioz's tragic works personify his life, especially that

pertaining to love. Berlioz was the unfortunate Romeo to the Rosaline of Estelle Dubœuf's

unrequited love. He was the tragic victim of the love of Symphonie Fantastique. And in 1869, he

became the damned Faust, never to find a love that lasted till the end of his flamboyant life.
 Armstrong 8

Works Cited

Barzun, J. (2006, November 16). Hector Berlioz. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from Encyclopædia
Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hector-Berlioz

Berlioz, H. (1870). Mémoires. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from The Hector Berlioz Website:
http://www.hberlioz.com/Writings/HBMindex.htm

Berlioz, H., & Story, M. (1830, December). Program Notes. Suite from Symphonie Fantastique. Alfred
Publishing Belwin Division.

Clarson-Leach, R. (1983). Berlioz: His Life and Times. Tunbridge Wells : Midas.

Harriet Smithson. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://www.irishmeninparis.org/le-

deuxieme-sexe/harriet-smithson-maria-edgeworth

Rayborn, T. (2016). Beethoven's Skull. New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing.

Riding, A., & Dunton-Downer, L. (2006). Opera. New York, NY: DK Publishing.

Tayeb, M., & Austin, M. (2017, February 22). Retrieved February 22, 2017, from The Hector Berlioz
Website: http://www.hberlioz.com/

Tayeb, M., & Austin, M. (n.d.). Berlioz Photo Album : Family. Retrieved March 8, 2017, from The Hector
Berlioz Website: http://www.hberlioz.com/Photos/BerliozPhotos6.html