Hector Berlioz is a music writer, composer of the period of romanticism, conductor. He was not afraid to bring something new to music, he loved theatricalization of symphonies. He has his own style, his own way in music.
Biography
Hector Berlioz was born in 1803 in La Cote - Saint-André, France. The first child in the doctor's family received a versatile education. Attention was also paid to musical development, Hector learned to play the flute and guitar, wrote his first romances. The father saw in his son the continuation of the dynasty, so in 1821 the young man entered the Medical School in Paris. But medicine did not interest Hector, even aroused disgust. He was attracted by the Paris Opera, she inspired to start composing music again, and to engage in self-education in this area.
In 1824, Hector made the final choice in favor of music and left his studies at the Medical School. His parents did not approve of his choice and greatly reduced material support. Berlioz needed to earn his living, he sings in the choir. In 1826, Hector entered the Paris Conservatory. He finishes his studies simultaneously with the recognition of his work "Fantastic Symphony", at the same time he received the Rome Prize. This prestigious award provided him with the funds to study in Italy. He will return to Paris in 1833 to marry Harriet Smithson.
Hector Berlioz was actively involved in conducting and composing new works, nevertheless, he earned his living mainly as journalism and music criticism, and worked as a librarian at the Paris Conservatory. Tours in 1847 and 1867-1868 in Russia brought him a good profit.
In 1854, the composer's wife died after a serious illness, and he remarried to Marie-Genevieve Martin. At the end of his life, Hector loses the people closest to him. First, his younger sister dies, then his wife, and in 1867 his only son from his first marriage. All this greatly affected the composer. In 1869 he dies in his apartment in Paris.
Creativity, career
In 1826, the composer wrote The Greek Revolution, in which he described the struggle of the Greeks for freedom from the Ottoman Empire. The revolutionary theme is also present in his other works.
The Fantastic Symphony, written in 1830, was his first significant piece. He composed it during love experiences, when he courted the impregnable Harriet. In it, he reflected his feelings, the mood of modern society at that time. In the same year he received the Rome Prize for the cantata Death of Sardanapalus.
While studying at the Paris Conservatory, he creates the overtures "King Lear" and "Rob Roy", after visiting Italy creates the symphony "Harold in Italy", which reflects the impressions of the trip. The symphony premiered in 1834. In 1837, Berlioz presents a Requiem, written under the influence of the July Revolution, requiring a large number of performers. In the 30s, more symphonies appeared: “Romeo and Juliet”, “Solemn-funeral symphony”.
In the 40s, Berlioz created a "Treatise on Instrumentation and Orchestration", this fundamental work is an invaluable contribution to the theoretical part of music. The book is now an integral part of composers' training. Hector Berlioz was distinguished by a deep understanding of instruments and was able to masterfully use them in orchestration.
The opera Condemnation of Faust proved to be a failure for the author. The composer's financial situation left much to be desired. Russian tours helped him to improve his financial situation, in St. Petersburg and Moscow he was very warmly received.
In 1856, the composer began writing the opera The Trojans. It was written pretty quickly, but the Paris Opera did not give permission to stage it. The full-fledged premiere took place after his death.
Personal life
When Hector was 12 years old, he met Estella Dubeuf (married Fornier), she was 17 years old. She will become the unrequited love of his life. In 1848, he will write her a letter and tell her about his feelings, but there will be no answer, the girl has been married long ago. They will meet again in 1864, and will correspond actively. But Beriloz's proposal will not do this to his beloved, believing that she will not accept him anyway.
In 1833, Hector married Harriet Smithson, a theater actress. He fell in love with her performance in Shakespeare's plays, wrote letters to her, waited at the theater entrance, moved closer to her. He sent the actress tickets for the premiere of his work Fantastic Symphony, and she came. Berlioz proposed to Harriet and she agreed. Passions were constantly raging between lovers, from love to hate. Hector's parents were categorically against this marriage. However, they got married. Their marriage was not calm, Harriett's endless jealousy, her illnesses, and career failures brought constant scandals to family life. They parted in 1844, but the composer looked after her and paid for nurses and doctors until her death.
Unhappy in his marriage, Hector meets Maria Recio. The young singer reciprocates the composer, since 1842, they go on foreign tours together. After parting with his wife, Berlioz moved to Recio in 1852, after the death of Harriett they were married. This union lasted 10 years until Mary died of a heart attack.
Later, the composer meets a girl much younger than him. The relationship between them lasts six months and ends by the decision of Amelie. In a year, the girl will die of illness.
In the 1860s, Berlioz presented his Memoirs to the world.
