Berlioz in London
76 Harley Street (now no. 27)
Berlioz stayed here during most of his first visit to London, in a separate apartment from that of the owner, Jullien, who had engaged him as a conductor (see also Theatre Royal Drury Lane page). The house has been rebuilt since Berlioz lived there. This is how Berlioz described to his father, in a letter dated 7 November 1847, his arrival in Britain for the first time (Correspondance générale no. 1134):
I stayed with M. Jullien, a French musician married to an English woman; he is director of the Drury Lane Theatre where I conduct the orchestra. The crossing was delightful – the sea was calm and the ship sailed as though crossing a lake. I had as companion an English writer, M. Gruneizen [a music critic of the Morning Chronicle]. When we arrived at Folkestone he hastened to be the first to jump on land so as to be able to offer me his hand and say courteously: ‘Welcome on British soil!’ This is one of those good ideas of the English, prompted by their national pride, and it would never occur to anyone from continental Europe. London is terrifying by its immensity. It takes three quarters of an hour to go from Jullien’s to Drury Lane, and they call that distance just a few steps.
In April 1848 Berlioz moved to no. 26 Osnaburgh Street, Regent’s Park, which has since been demolished, along with all the residential buildings on the same side of the street, and replaced with a large block of flats.
All the photos reproduced on this page were taken by Michel
Austin. © Monir Tayeb and Michel Austin.
All rights of reproduction reserved.
Present state of Berlioz’s residence in Harley Street
General view of Harley Street
No. 76 (now 27) is the fourth house on the left.
General view of Harley Street
No. 76 (now 27) is the fourth house on the right. The street on the right in the foreground is Queen Anne Street; Berlioz stayed at no. 27 when he visited London in 1851.
© 2002-2008 Michel Austin and Monir Tayeb for all the pictures and information on this page.
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