Les nuits d’ete & La mort de Cleopatre

Les nuits d’été was adapted by Berlioz to add a part for Mezzo-Soprano  when he became entwinded with a certain soloist who later became his wife!  His musical ability shines through in these pieces as at times it is clearly obvious that he is writing about his feelings and emotions.

Scène d’amour, is an extract from Roméo et Juliette, much of which is orchestral.  At the centre of this work is this piece, the love scene, it is a beautiful piece and interestingly Roméo is written for a female as Berlioz is famous for his dislike of tenors!

La mort de Cléopâtre was written in order to try win a competition.  Sadly the piece was played before the jury on a piano with a stand-in soloist who was vastly inexperienced and he did not win!