Berlioz

Hector Berlioz' "Romeo et Juliette" is a dramatic symphony, neither opera nor cantata, with soloists as narrators, the chorus as participants and the orchestra exploding with passion. The work, which was first performed in 1839 (only 15 years after the first symphony with chorus, Beethoven's Ninth), has Wagner-like supreme orchestral moments between the singing. The famous sections are the Love Scene (Berlioz' favorite of all his music) and the mercurial Queen Mab scherzo, elfin music both whispered and swirling.