Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Berlioz, Hector

BERLIOZ, HECTOR (ber-lē-ōs′), a French composer, born in La Côte-Saint-André, Dec. 11, 1803. He forsook medicine to study music at the Paris Conservatoire, where he gained the first prize in 1830 with his cantata, "Sardanapale." After studying in Italy, he began to produce his larger works, and was forced to defend his principles in the press. His chief literary works are: "Traité d'Instrumentation" (1844); "Voyage Musical" (1845); "A Travers Chant" (1862). The more important of his musical works are "Harold en Italic," "Episode de la Vie d'un Artiste," and "Le Retour à la Vie;" "Romeo and Juliette" (1834); "Damnation de Faust" (1846); the operas "Benvenuto Cellini," "Beatrice and Benedict." and "Les Troyens," "L'Enfance du Christ," and the "Requiem." He died in Paris, March 9, 1869. After his death his "Memoirs" appeared.