Hector Berlioz

Berlioz was a key French musician, composer, and litterateur of the Romantic period, and the author of some 4,000 often revealing letters. He flourished during the Second Empire, and though he was a critic of the tumultuous politics that had brought about the reign of Napoleon III, he also wrote: "The life of violent twists and turns suits me so well that I could not endure any other. All I need is time and health...."

Berlioz is known, among much else, as a composer of operas. He has to his name four complete operas: Béatrice et Bénédict; Benvenuto Cellini; Les Troyens; and La Damnation de Faust. He composed parts of a fifth, Les francs-juges. (Although he eventually abandoned that project and destroyed much of the music, a notable overture survives.)

Berlioz died at home, in Paris, surrounded by friends. He was buried, by his own choice, in Montmartre Cemetery. His two wives lie beside him there.