Hector Berlioz

Was the first composer to write for suspended cymbal, in the last measure of "Symphonie Fantastique". Was also the first composer to specify what type of timpani mallets to use, as well as stickings, in that same piece.

Was actually planning a composition calling for 32 timpani.

Harriet Smithson was the inspiration for the "idee fixe" theme in the "Symphonie Fantastique", the work that made Berlioz famous.

While in Rome, he received a letter from the mother of his fiance informing him that his betrothed had married another man in his prolonged absence. Upon hearing this, he concocted a ridiculously impractical and elaborate revenge plan. He disguised himself in drag (as a ladys maid), and traveled to the place of residence of the mother and daughter, equipped with two pistols and a vial of poison, planning to shoot the pair, then poison himself. He abandoned this plan halfway through the journey and never carried out his revenge.

He became infatuated with actress Harriet Smithson after seeing her act in a Shakespeare play just once. He attended all of her subsequent performances of Shakespeare and eventually persuaded her to marry him.

Only child: Louis Berlioz, born August 14 1834, from his marriage to Irish actress Harriet Smithson.

He wrote one of the first textbooks on orchestration. The book was an enormous influence on all future composers, and encouraged musicians to become more daring in their style of orchestration. It is still in print today, and still studied by musicians.

His 1830 "Symphonie Fantastique" was the first symphony in the history of music to have a definite "storyline". All of Berliozs future symphonic works were similarly based on literary ideas. The "Symphonie Fantastique" also featured the most unusual orchestration ever heard in a musical work up to that time, and dramatically opened new possibilities in unusual instrumentation in classical music.

"The New York Clipper," 3 April 1869, p. 415:4 - Obituary "The New York Times," 22 March 1869, p. 1:3 - Obituary. Unable to add in the article section because of their early date.

The luck of having talent is not enough one must also have a talent for luck.

He was dying all his life.

The luck of having talent is not enough one must also have a talent for luck.

Time is a great teacher but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

At least I have the modesty to admit that lack of modesty is one of my failings.

Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.

Love cannot express the idea of music, while music may give an idea of love. .