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- Title
Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette Symphony and the Europe Reception of Shakespeare.
- Authors
Willaims, Simon
- Abstract
Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette symphony has been infrequently performed complete as it is generically an indeterminate piece, half oratorio, half opera. Although Berlioz may have considered writing Romeo and Juliet as an opera, conditions were against this and the symphonic form seemed more suitable to what he wished to express. The symphony is not so much a representation of the story of the drama as a work that records the impact of Shakespeare's plays upon the imagination of Berlioz and, more broadly, of the entire romantic generation. This accounts for the stirring ending, which eschews the tragedy entirely and presents the unification of the Montagues and Capulets. The ending is, in essence, a hymn of praise to Shakespeare as a figure who can unite disparate people and classes and therefore serve as a means of bringing about social cohesion.
- Subjects
SYMPHONY; BERLIOZ, Hector, 1803-1869; SHAKESPEARE, William, 1564-1616; OPERA; TRAGEDY (Drama)
- Publication
Word & Music Studies, 2007, Vol 9, p1
- ISSN
1566-0958
- Publication type
Article