Symphonie der Liebe (1942)

• 58%
• 1942
• Drama
• Historie
• Jean-Louis Barrault
• Renée Saint-Cyr
• Lise Delamare

The film is biographical, telling the story of the life and artistic struggles of the French composer: Hector Berlioz. Berlioz is shown as a recalcitrant medical student in an anatomy class dreaming of becoming a composer; at a demonstration during a performance at the Paris Opéra conducted by Habeneck; at night with other young artists (Hugo, Janin, Dumas, Mérimée, Delacroix); and chasing after his future wife Harriet Smithson, after a performance of Hamlet. Also depicted are his life in a garret, while suffering from an illness due to an abscess in the throat; a visit from his mother who curses him; and the composition of the Symphonie fantastique. The film then shows his ehe breakdown, the premiere of his opera, Benvenuto Cellini, his travels throughout Europa, his second marriage to Marie Recio (called "Maria Martin" in-the-film), public acceptance in old age and reconciliation with his son.