Béatrice et Bénédict was borne of Berlioz's lifelong fascination with Shakespeare. A performance by the Shakespearean actress Harriet Smithson as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet reportedly inspired him to commence work on his own Roméo et Juliette, a large-scale dramatic symphony. He had fallen headlong in love with her after seeing her as Ophelia in 1827 and later wrote, 'I came out of Hamlet shaken to the core.'
He also contemplated setting Antony and Cleopatra to music, but it was not until many years later (1860) that he settled on Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. Although he had considered the idea of an opera on this play as early as 1833, it turned out to be his final opera. Berlioz produced his own libretto -- a much revised version of the story, with several of the original characters absent. It nonetheless remains faithful to Shakespeare's play.
Berlioz claimed he wrote this opera to relax after the stress of completing the vast Les Troyens -- and said it was 'a caprice written with the point of a needle'. Indeed, it is scored lightly, and has a warm and gentle wit to it, ideally suited to the subject.
Further information
- Recording made in 1981
- 'Minton's beautiful voice and her warm understanding of Berlioz's style are again evident ... Daniel Barenboim conducts with enthusiasm.' Gramophone
- Booklet contains an introduction to the opera and a comprehensive synopsis of the plot
- Adverts in Gramophone plus major editorial and feature coverage in the specialist classical press
Informacja dotycząca wprowadzenia produktu do obrotu:
Ten produkt został wprowadzony na rynek przed 13 grudnia 2024 r. zgodnie z obowiązującymi wówczas przepisami (Dyrektywą o ogólnym bezpieczeństwie produktów). W związku z tym może on być nadal sprzedawany bez konieczności dostosowania do nowych wymogów wynikających z Rozporządzenia o Ogólnym Bezpieczeństwie Produktów (GPSR). Produkt zachowuje pełną legalność w obrocie, a jego jakość i bezpieczeństwo pozostają zgodne z obowiązującymi wcześniej standardami.
Information regarding product placement on the market:
This product was placed on the market before December 13, 2024, in accordance with the applicable regulations at the time (the General Product Safety Directive). As a result, it can continue to be sold without needing to meet the new requirements introduced by the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR). The product remains fully compliant with all previously valid legal standards, ensuring its continued quality and safety.
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