Evenings with the Orchestra

Our son first introduced this book to us when he began taking his musical training seriously in high school. He loved the subversive humor! When he moved on to his fine college's music conservatory, and gained more insight into the works and personalities of the classical music world, Berlioz's tales grew all the more hilarious!The disdain his orchestra characters have for the conductors and vocalists of the various operas being performed, and the lack of concentration given to their craft while they instead regale each other with stories, is such a riot! And Berlioz's critique of the political maneuvering amongst "the claque" are a real education! Not much has changed over the centuries.This is a must-read for any serious musician. I highly recommend it for students because it adds so many historical elements (Hey! We've got to sneak it in as much as possible!).

After I ordered this book, I discovered that there was a hardbound copy in my late husband's library! But I'm enjoying reading this nice paperback version which was in perfect condition and easier to read in bed.

More than just a collection of "what went wrong during the opera," we are treated to lessons in music history, arts management history, and social history. The situations themselves are quite funny - orchestra players asleep in the pit, talking in the pit, bass drums drowning out bad singing, etc.... The real treat, though, lies in the stories themselves and the lesser known composers to whom we are introduced. If you are a musician (singer or instrumentalist), you must give this a careful read. This isn't the casual "quick read," but one that takes a bit of concentration. The writings are as relevant today as ever!

This is easily one of the best and funniest books I've ever read...I was not expecting it to be this good by any means. Berlioz must have been absolutely hilarious to be around, his wit and sarcasm are unrivaled. I found myself retelling the stories of each evening to my friends and coworkers each day after, who always enjoyed them and couldn't believe such humor came from a mid-1800's book. This would be a fantastic Wes Anderson film as well. I will definitely be reading more Berlioz after getting so much enjoyment from Evenings With The Orchestra.

A view from the pit by a great composer.

The quirky, comic inner life of the orchestra/band/any sizable collective organization with a "concerted" purpose--- all deliciously delineated by the great composer (and great writer) Berlioz. this book is so tasty, I have consumed it in little snippets so I wouldn't consume it too quickly.

This is a classic for music lovers - a rare insight into the genius of this great and revolutionary composer but also more than a glimpse into the kind of gossip that surrounded nineteenth century music circles. There are some wonderful touches of humour and marvellous characterisations - some of which are based on historical fact.

Hector Berlioz was one of the finest composers and writers of his day, and so when one reads "the rise and fall of a tenor," the biographical sketch of Spontini, or some of the other pieces here, one understands and sympathizes with him. The only real problem is that so much of this describes a musical world now long dead and gone, whose heros and villains no longer matter in the realm of history, so that there are some pages one skims through. But if you are musical in your blood and soul, by all means get it...."Suicide by Enthusiasm" alone will put you right in the thick of the Romantic era!!

Berlioz was a talented raconteur as well as his musical accomplishments.

Very pleased to have tracked this down at last. A good quality paperback.