BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 1
BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 2

BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)

Lot 77
14.12.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 756
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 870722
Lot 77 | BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)
Estimate value
£ 1 200 – 1 800
BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)

Autograph letter signed ('H. Berlioz') to his sister, [Nancy Pal], n.p. [Paris], 20 July [1849].

In French. Four pages, 213 x 134mm.



'In such a disorganised society Art and artist are so superfluous that I'm amazed they haven't been expelled': a scintillating letter mentioning Napoleon III, describing the near-death of his wife, Harriet Smithson, and castigating the coarseness of Parisian society. The letter opens with the amused observation that every member of the Berlioz family seems to be at a spa – 'We seem to be very aquatic in our family!'. Berlioz has bumped into the future Emperor Napoleon III, then President of France: 'Talking of Empire, there has been a slight swing in its favour. We'll see. I met the President out in the street yesterday. We recognised and greeted each other most amiably. I behaved very graciously towards him ... I'm in quite good spirits today, because a considerable weight has been lifted from my mind. Four days ago, Henriette [his estranged wife, Harriet Smithson] had a third [apoplectic] attack, which was even more violent than the preceding ones – at one point I thought I was watching her die ... Thankfully a timely and abundant bleeding dispelled the worst symptoms ... But for two days the poor invalid recognised nobody – she would stare fixedly at me but her eyes were dull and blank. Since yesterday she's been much better ...'. Paris is closing down for the summer: 'The Opera is closed. All the other theatres are going to follow suit and lock their doors. In these times of Liberty, Fraternity and Equality (– and of coarseness, dishonesty and stupidity) nobody is interested in anything except what fills the stomach. In such a disorganised society Art and artist are so superfluous that I'm amazed they haven't been expelled, in the same way as useless mouths to feed are chased out of besieged and starving towns'; if only Berlioz could flee Europe and live among 'simple, primitive savages, where I'd never again hear mention of our own savages – systematic, ferocious and corrupt'.



Nancy Pal (1806-1850) was the elder of Berlioz's two surviving sisters, three years younger than the composer. He remained close to both of them throughout his life, addressing Nancy as 'Nanci' in correspondence. Correspondance générale, 1271.





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This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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United Kingdom
Preview
10.12.2022 – 13.12.2022
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