Hector Berlioz – Life Milestones

A caricature of Hector Berlioz, whose music was considered radically modern, eccentric and unsettling by his contemporaries.

1803 

Hector Berlioz is born on December 11 in La Côte-Saint-André, France.

1815 

Falls passionately in love with his neighbor’s daughter, the 18-year-old Estelle Dubœuf, a lifelong emotional reference point.

1820 

Moves to Paris to study medicine, against his will.

1826  

Admitted to the Paris Conservatory; fully abandons medical studies.

1830 

Symphonie fantastique is premiered; wins the Prix de Rome and departs for Italy.

1833 

Marries the Irish actress Harriet Smithson, the original inspiration for Symphonie fantastique.

1834 

Birth of his only son, Louis.

1846 

First visit to London; increasing international recognition as a conductor.

1854 

Death of Harriet Smithson; Berlioz marries his longtime companion Marie Recio.

1863 

First performance of the opera Les Troyens, his most ambitious dramatic work.

1864 

Death of Marie Recio; Berlioz renews contact with Estelle Dubœuf, now aged 67.

1869 

Dies on March 8 in Paris, isolated and disillusioned.

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• When Berlioz learned that his beloved Camille was about to marry another man, he resolved to return to Paris and murder both Camille and her mother, who had informed him of the engagement. He obtained a maid’s uniform as a disguise and armed himself with pistols. The plan was ultimately abandoned—but the episode reveals the intensity and volatility of his temperament.

• In 1834, the great violinist Niccolò Paganini commissioned Berlioz to write a solo work for viola. Losing interest before its completion, Paganini initially refused payment. Later that year, after hearing the finished work (Harold en Italie), Paganini was overwhelmed with remorse and admiration. He sent Berlioz 20,000 francs—a sum exceeding two years’ wages—ensuring the composer’s financial survival.

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