Berlioz, Dalayrac and Song

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Using Berlioz's critical writings, his arrangements of others' songs, and his own compositions, the article investigates an aesthetic strand of sympathy linking Berlioz to a type of melody used by Dalayrac (1753-1809). The latter's best opéras-comiques, heard by the youthful Berlioz, continued to be staged in the Romantic period, and were reviewed sympathetically by him. He responded to what he discerned as their fundamental naturalness and unselfconsciousness, and attempted to analyse this critically. Specific techniques link Hylas' song in 'Les Troyens', Act V, with the Dalayrac Romance style.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBerlioz and Debussy: Sources, Contexts and Legacies
Subtitle of host publicationEssays in Honour of François Lesure
EditorsBarbara L. Kelly, Kerry Murphy
Place of PublicationAldershot
PublisherAshgate
Pages3-18
Number of pages16
ISBN (Print)978-0-7546-5392-9
Publication statusPublished - 2007

Keywords

  • Berlioz, Dalayrac, Romance, opéra-comique, popular melody

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