Leader, Philip Whiteway
Conductor, E. GODFREY BROWN
Two days after the first performance of Berlioz's ' Harold in Italy ' Symphony, the solo viola part of which was played by Paganini, Paganini sent the composer a banker's order for 20,000 francs as an act of ' homage '. This gift released Berlioz from financial worry and consequently he devoted the best part of 1839 to the composition of a symphony, based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This dramatic symphony, scored 'for soloists, chorus and orchestra, is divided into seven sections, of which the scherzo is one of the most outstanding.
George Bizet wrote several operas before he made his great success with Carmen. Among the earlier of these was one entitled La Jolie Fille de Perth, founded on Sir Walter Scott 's novel ' The Fair Maid of Perth'. It was produced at Paris in December, 1867, but it was not very favourably received. Bizet, himself, was not particularly happy about it. He did not like the novel, but felt it was good material for operatic treatment. Such of the music that has survived is to be found in the ballet music, some of which was afterwards used in Carmen and has been considered part of that opera ever since.
The orchestral suite Scenes bohemiennes consists of four of the best numbers in the opera, which are full of fine melodies scored with delicate and brilliant effect.