Hector Berlioz: Béatrice et Bénédict

The series Shakespeare in Opera presents another title, this time the comic opera Béatrice et Bénédict by Hector Berlioz. Our presentation at the same time commemorates the birth of one of the greatest Romantic composers (December 11, 1803). The libretto for the opera, premiered in Baden-Baden on August 9, 1862, was written by the composer himself, based on Shakespeare’s comedy Much Ado about Nothing. While composing his last opera, Berlioz – in his own words – had a good rest following the hard work on his previous monumental oeuvre Trojans. The composer concentrated the entire story into a couple of lovers, Béatrice and Bénédict, their mutual quibbling and “merry wars”. This concept produced a very playful, witty and, at the same time, touching opera.

Premiere: Dec 11, 2003