Louis-Hector Berlioz (11 December 1803 – 8 March 1869) was a French Romantic composer. His output includes orchestral works such as the Symphonie fantastique and Harold in Italy, choral pieces including the Requiem and L’Enfance du Christ, his three operas Benvenuto Cellini, Les Troyens and Béatrice et Bénédict, and works of hybrid genres such as the “dramatic symphony” Roméo et Juliette and the “dramatic legend” La Damnation de Faust.
Le carnaval romain; ouverture caractéristique, Op. 9 (1844)
Dedication: Prince von Hohenzollern-Hechingen
The Royal Philharmonic conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras
Le carnaval romain, ouverture pour orchestre (Roman Carnival Overture), Op. 9. Composed in 1844 and first performed at the Salle Herz, Paris, on 3 February 1844. A stand-alone overture intended for concert performance, made up of material and themes from Berlioz’s opera Benvenuto Cellini, including some music from the opera’s carnival scene – hence the overture’s title. It is scored for large orchestra, is in the key of A major, and features a prominent and famous solo for the cor anglais.