BERLIOZ (Hector). Autograph letter signed to his sister Nanci. Paris, August 4, …
Description

BERLIOZ (Hector).

Autograph letter signed to his sister Nanci. Paris, August 4, 1830. 4 p. in-8 (201 x 125 mm). Letter signed "H. Berlioz". Trace of tab. Beautiful letter on the Revolution of 1830 and on his cantata for the Prix de Rome. He understands his sister's concern about the recent events: "The barricades are demolished, the streets are repaved and illuminated instead of the street lamps. [...] if you saw, in front of the black cross planted in front of the Louvre and which indicates the great pit of the national guards, these poor women who cry over their son or husband, or father, or brother, it is a heartbreaking spectacle. "He then speaks of the rumor of the flight of Charles X to Rambouillet, with the crowd in pursuit: "The deposed king is today on his way to Cherbourg, where he will embark for London. Yesterday evening at the Opera, they asked for La Marseillaise, with all the apparatus of the choir and the orchestra: one has no idea of such an effect. [...] We learned that the author of this sublime hymn, Rouget Delisle [sic] was in misery and that a subscription was proposed for him. At once everyone rushed to the foyer and a considerable collection was made for the Modern Tyrtée." He evokes his cantata for the Prix de Rome: "Yes, yes, I will have the prize, be calm. Mr. Lesueur is delighted with my cantata [La Mort de Sardanapale]: I have done what was necessary for the Institute at the right time. But this prize will only be of value to me insofar as it will help me to obtain Camille [Moke], otherwise I will not benefit from it. [.....] If I was born for a life of suffering and cruel emotions, I have fulfilled my destiny well. [...] I am waiting for Sunday, with the torment of a man who every second would receive a drop of molten lead on his heart." The new political situation enthuses him: "I think that the beautiful flag [tricolor] floats today on the bell tower of La Côte [Saint-André] as in all France. We are going to put back the bust of Napoleon on the Vendôme column which has been orphaned for too long". General correspondence, edited by P. Citron, t. I, letter n° 171.

BERLIOZ (Hector).

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