Berlioz: Le Roi Lear, H 53, Op. 4

Description

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) wrote his overture King Lear (H 53), just after the abrupt dissolution of his engagement to Camille Moke. He had just arrived in Italy as the winner of the 1830 Prix de Rome, and hearing the news, decided to avenge himself by assassinating his ex-fiance, her mother, and her new fiance. Stopping in Nice, France, on his way to Florence, he changed his mind and began the process of rehabilitation. As he relaxed beside the Arno River, he read Shakespeare's play and it enthralled him so much, he later wrote that he rolled "around convulsively to give vent to my excitement". Two months later, the overture was complete. It premiered under the baton of Narcisse Girard at the Paris Conservatoire on December 22, 1833. Instrumentation: 2(2nd dPicc).2.2.2: 4.2.3.1: Timp: Str (9-8-7-6-5 in set).