At his fourth attempt, Berlioz finally won the prestigious Prix de Rome. The good news was the substantial financial package, plus free entry to every opera house in Europe. The bad news was a compulsory two year stay in Rome, studying at the Villa Medici. Berlioz, whose love life was rather fragile at the time, didn't want to go at all, and when he got there did very little composition and lots of complaining. Nevertheless, his time in Italy made its presence felt in his music throughout his life. Donald Macleod investigates. Show less