BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 1
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BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 3
BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869) - photo 4

BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)

Lot 74
14.12.2022 10:30UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 756
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 870729
Lot 74 | BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)
Estimate value
£ 1 200 – 1 800
BERLIOZ, Hector (1803-1869)

Autograph letter signed ('H. Berlioz') to Edouard Rocher, Paris, 3 September 1830.

In French. Three pages, 178 x 110mm, integral address leaf to Rocher at La Côte-Saint-André (seal tear, some spotting).



'I was born for an extraordinary life': an ecstatic letter on his love for the pianist Camille Moke and the planned first performance of Symphonie Fantastique. Rocher has no doubt heard that Berlioz has won first prize in the Prix de Rome: 'I am now unburdened by any worries on that score; I have so many others; you can guess on what score. Yes my dear Edward all my worries are focused on her, on my ravishing sylph, my adored Camille. My parents as you perhaps know have consented to our marriage ... Her mother is only temporarily opposed to our union; she wants at all costs for me to be further advanced in my career ... But still, I see her 2 or 3 times a week, she loves me, she loves me. Can you believe it? I, who have never been loved by anyone! ... Such an angel! A talent perhaps without equal in Europe! ... If only you knew how this love began! You wouldn't believe it; I was born for an extraordinary life; the unfortunate Smithson is still here and is sinking lower and lower. Oh my angel, my Camille! ... I bless the moment when [our love] began'. Camille will come to a performance at the Théatre italien, 'where they will perform a new composition that I am writing ... On 21 November following I shall give my great concert to give a hearing to Simphonie [sic] Fantastique'. However, Berlioz needs money for all of this, and asks Rocher for a loan, which he can easily pay back once the Prix de Rome prize money comes through.



Berlioz had interrupted his three-year obsession with the Irish actress Harriet Smithson (whom he had never in fact met) to fall deeply in love with the prodigiously talented Belgian pianist Camille Moke (1811-1875). They became engaged, but after Berlioz set off for the residence in Rome which was a condition of the Prix de Rome, he learned that Camille had broken off the engagement in favour of the wealthy Camille Pleyel. Berlioz conceived an elaborate plan to kill them both and even set off back to Paris, but abandoned the scheme at Nice. He and Smithson at last met in December 1832, and were married in the following year. The letter also refers to the projected first performance of Symphonie Fantastique (which was inspired by Smithson) on 5 December, whose success was to be a landmark event in his career. Correspondance générale no.174.







Special notice


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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