Berlioz, Hector. (1803 - 1869). Autograph Letter to Stephen Heller, quoting Virgil. Autograph letter in French, signed “H. Berlioz,” one page, 5.25 x 8, July 12, no year. Addressed to “My dear Stephen,” in full (translated): “I’m not sure a flawless sonnet is worth a long poem, but I’m pretty sure that your six lines of yesterday have made me happier than many grand articles, pretentious or knowledgeable. I shake your hand.” He continues with a Latin quote from Book V of Virgil’s Aeneid, “Quid quid erit, superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est” [“Whate'er betide, he only cures the stroke of Fortune who endures”], and adds, “We will see if Virgil was right.” In very good condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds, scattered foxing, and a stain affecting first line of the letter. Together with a postcard portrait.
An interesting letter to the Hungarian composer and pianist and critic who became a close friend of Berlioz after moving to Paris in 1838. "They became good friends and in due time grew old together. Berlioz admired Heller's sense of humor and erudition, and they shared literary affinities." (D. Kern Holoman, "Berlioz," p. 198)
Indeed, Berlioz was deeply inspired by the written word, and drew from classic literature and poetry to write many of his finest compositions, from La damnation de Faust (based on Goethe’s Faust), to Harold en Italie (inspired by Byron’s Childe Harold), to Romeo et Juliette, to his magnum opus, the phenomenally ambitious opera Les Troyens, which was based on Virgil’s Aeneid, making this letter’s closing quote and commentary especially notable.
An interesting letter to the Hungarian composer and pianist and critic who became a close friend of Berlioz after moving to Paris in 1838. "They became good friends and in due time grew old together. Berlioz admired Heller's sense of humor and erudition, and they shared literary affinities." (D. Kern Holoman, "Berlioz," p. 198)
Indeed, Berlioz was deeply inspired by the written word, and drew from classic literature and poetry to write many of his finest compositions, from La damnation de Faust (based on Goethe’s Faust), to Harold en Italie (inspired by Byron’s Childe Harold), to Romeo et Juliette, to his magnum opus, the phenomenally ambitious opera Les Troyens, which was based on Virgil’s Aeneid, making this letter’s closing quote and commentary especially notable.
Berlioz, Hector. (1803 - 1869). Autograph Letter to Stephen Heller, quoting Virgil. Autograph letter in French, signed “H. Berlioz,” one page, 5.25 x 8, July 12, no year. Addressed to “My dear Stephen,” in full (translated): “I’m not sure a flawless sonnet is worth a long poem, but I’m pretty sure that your six lines of yesterday have made me happier than many grand articles, pretentious or knowledgeable. I shake your hand.” He continues with a Latin quote from Book V of Virgil’s Aeneid, “Quid quid erit, superanda omnis fortuna ferendo est” [“Whate'er betide, he only cures the stroke of Fortune who endures”], and adds, “We will see if Virgil was right.” In very good condition, with central vertical and horizontal folds, scattered foxing, and a stain affecting first line of the letter. Together with a postcard portrait.
An interesting letter to the Hungarian composer and pianist and critic who became a close friend of Berlioz after moving to Paris in 1838. "They became good friends and in due time grew old together. Berlioz admired Heller's sense of humor and erudition, and they shared literary affinities." (D. Kern Holoman, "Berlioz," p. 198)
Indeed, Berlioz was deeply inspired by the written word, and drew from classic literature and poetry to write many of his finest compositions, from La damnation de Faust (based on Goethe’s Faust), to Harold en Italie (inspired by Byron’s Childe Harold), to Romeo et Juliette, to his magnum opus, the phenomenally ambitious opera Les Troyens, which was based on Virgil’s Aeneid, making this letter’s closing quote and commentary especially notable.
An interesting letter to the Hungarian composer and pianist and critic who became a close friend of Berlioz after moving to Paris in 1838. "They became good friends and in due time grew old together. Berlioz admired Heller's sense of humor and erudition, and they shared literary affinities." (D. Kern Holoman, "Berlioz," p. 198)
Indeed, Berlioz was deeply inspired by the written word, and drew from classic literature and poetry to write many of his finest compositions, from La damnation de Faust (based on Goethe’s Faust), to Harold en Italie (inspired by Byron’s Childe Harold), to Romeo et Juliette, to his magnum opus, the phenomenally ambitious opera Les Troyens, which was based on Virgil’s Aeneid, making this letter’s closing quote and commentary especially notable.