Experiencing Berlioz

Melinda P. O'Neal is a choral-orchestral conductor and professor of music at Dartmouth College. Her fascination with the music of Berlioz began when rehearsing the final mystical chorus of L’enfance du Christ in graduate school. Berlioz has been the subject of O’Neal’s teaching and writing, and she has prepared choruses and conducted in performance most of his vocal-instrumental works. Learn more about O'Neal and explore selected texts and translations referred to in Experiencing Berlioz at www.melindaoneal.net.

• Opening Your Imagination: Introduction and GuideChapter 1: SongsNeuf mélodies: La belle voyageuse and Élégie en proseLes nuits d’étésLa mort d’OphélieLe trébuchet: scherzoLa belle Isabeau: conte pendant l’orageChapter 2: Music for ChorusNeuf mélodies: Chant guerrier and Chanson à boireSara la baigneuseScène héroïque: la révolution grecque Le cinq maiHymne à la FranceChapter 3: Orchestral MusicSymphonie fantastiqueRoméo et JulietteChapter 4: Extended Choral-Orchestral WorksMesse solennelleGrande messe des morts (Requiem)La damnation de FaustL’enfance du ChristChapter 5: OperasBenvenuto CelliniLes TroyensAppendicesA. Song InventoryB. Choral MusicC. Program of Symphonie fantastiqueD. Selected References in Berlioz’s Mémoires

Beautifully written, clearly organized, creatively detailed, and full of information and insight concerning the works of Berlioz being discussed. This volume will be both a helpful guide for the passionate listener and a valuable resource for the performing musician. Highly recommended.