Biography louis hector berlioz

(1803-1869)

Who Was Hector Berlioz?

Hector Berlioz turned his back on a career in medicine to follow his passion for music, and went on to compose works that showcased the innovativeness and search for expression that were hallmarks of Romanticism.

His well-known pieces include the Symphonie fantastique and Grande messe des morts.

Biography louis hector berlioz

At the age of 65, Berlioz died in Paris on March 8, 1869.

Early Life

Louis-Hector Berlioz was born on December 11, 1803, in La Côte-St-André, Isère, France (near Grenoble). Hector Berlioz, as he was known, was entranced with music as a child.

He learned to play the flute and guitar, and became a self-taught composer.

Heeding his physician father's wishes, Berlioz went to Paris in 1821 to study medicine. However, much of his time was spent at the Paris-Opéra, where he absorbed Christoph Willibald Gluck's operas.

Two years later, he left medicine behind to become a composer.

Beginning a Career in Music

In 1826, Berlioz enrolled