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Harriet Smithson / Hopwood
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Harriet Smithson / Hopwood
HARRIET SMITHSON Irish actress; wife of Hector Berlioz
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Media ID 571200
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10003054
1800 1854 Berlioz Curls Harriet Hector Hopwood Smithson Performing
EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures Harriet Smithson, the renowned Irish actress, in the prime of her career during the 1850s. Born in Dublin in 1800, Smithson made her theatrical debut in London at the age of 15 and quickly rose to fame for her striking beauty and powerful performances. Her most notable role came in 1831 when she starred as Titania in a production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which reportedly inspired French composer Hector Berlioz to fall deeply in love with her. The couple's tumultuous romance began when Berlioz attended a performance of "Hamlet" in which Smithson starred as Ophelia. Enchanted by her acting and her curls, Berlioz wrote a letter of admiration, which she eventually read and responded to. The pair married in 1833, despite their significant age difference and societal disapproval. Their union was a source of inspiration for Berlioz's music, most notably his Symphonie fantastique, which is believed to have been composed as a love letter to Smithson. This photograph, taken around 1854, showcases Smithson's timeless elegance and allure. Her expressive eyes and cascading curls evoke the passion and intensity that made her a beloved figure on the stage. Smithson's legacy as an Irish actress and Berlioz's muse continues to captivate audiences and scholars alike, making this image a poignant reminder of their extraordinary love story.
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