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Harriet Smithson
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Harriet Smithson
HARRIET SMITHSON (1800-1854) Irish actress; wife of Hector Berlioz
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Media ID 8189981
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10003053
Berlioz Harriet Hector Smithson
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this portrait, Harriet Smithson, an Irish actress born on February 25, 1800, captivates the viewer with her enchanting beauty and expressive countenance. Smithson's career on the London stage began in the early 1820s, and she quickly rose to prominence for her powerful and emotive performances. Her talent did not go unnoticed by the renowned French composer Hector Berlioz, who was deeply moved by her portrayal of Ophelia in Hamlet in 1832. Berlioz, who was then a young and ambitious musician, was so captivated by Smithson that he wrote her a passionate love letter, which she initially ignored. However, their paths crossed again in 1833, and they began a passionate and tumultuous relationship. The couple married in 1833, and their union was marked by intense creativity and passion, as well as periods of separation and heartache. Smithson's influence on Berlioz's music is evident in many of his compositions, particularly in the Symphonie fantastique, which was inspired by his unrequited love for her. The couple had one child together, a daughter named Claudie, who was born in 1835. Sadly, their marriage was fraught with difficulties, and they eventually separated in 1843. Smithson continued to act on the stage until her retirement in 1847, and she passed away on March 6, 1854. This evocative portrait of Harriet Smithson captures the essence of her captivating presence and the intensity of her relationship with Hector Berlioz, a union that left an indelible mark on the world of music and theater.
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