Hector BERLIOZ reprises Gluck's Alceste at the Opera.

Hector BERLIOZ (1803.1869)

Signed autograph letter.

One page in-8°. [Paris]. November 5 [1861].

Berlioz and the revival of Gluck's Alceste at the Paris Opera.

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“Sir, I unfortunately was not able to send you today the tickets you wanted for Alceste . After the first 3 performances they didn't give me any more. I would be very happy to meet your student. I'm almost always there at half past twelve. Your very devoted H. Berlioz. »

Berlioz had a deep admiration for Christoph Willibad Gluck. Throughout his life, he strove to fiercely defend the work of his predecessor: “There are two great, superior Gods in our art: Beethoven and Gluck. One reigns over the infinity of thought, the other over the infinity of passion; and, although the first is far superior to the second as a musician, there is nevertheless so much of one in the other that these two Jupiters make only one God in whom our admiration and our devotion must be absorbed. respect. » (Letter of January 12, 1856 to Théodore Ritter).

In October 1861, his revival of Gluck's Alceste was given at the Paris Opera. The success was immense, to the great satisfaction of the French composer.