Hector Berlioz (1803-1869)

French

Symphonie Fantastique, La Damnation De Faust, Roméo et Juliette, Requiem

• Berlioz loved to read. His music was greatly inspired by Shakespseare and Geothe. Berlioz wrote music about some of Shakespeare’s characters including Romeo and Juliet.
• Berlioz started his musical training at age 12, which is known to be a late start. Even with his father’s disapproval and desire for him to become a doctor, Berlioz still pursued his passion in music.
• Berlioz was a huge fan of the octobass. This instrument was much larger than a string bass and would be played using a step stool, a harness, and a bow. Berlioz wanted to make it a standard orchestral instrument.