Benvenuto Cellini Overture, Op. 23, H. 76b – Hector Berlioz

Benvenuto Cellini Overture, Op. 23, H. 76b by Hector Berlioz

At some time shortly before 1835, Berlioz heard of the story of the Florentine sculptor Benvenuto Cellini (1500-1571). Specifically, Berlioz found the interesting and sometimes comical episodes from Cellini’s life to be an ideal subject for an opera. He approached the French playwrights Léon de Wailly and Auguste Barbier to write a preliminary libretto for the opera, to which they accepted.

Berlioz approached the Paris Opéra-Comique with the first draft, but it was rejected. After some alterations Berlioz approached the Paris Opéra, which accepted ‘Benvenuto Cellini’ for production. Berlioz began composition on the opera in 1836, with the premiere performance being given in September of 1838.

Due to the length and difficulty of performing ‘Benvenuto Cellini’, it was rarely staged during Berlioz’ lifetime. The overture is sometimes performed as a separate concert piece.

This work is comprised of a single movement.