Berlioz in Paris
Saint-Louis des Invalides, Le Dôme des Invalides
The Hôtel des Invalides was built between 1671 and 1706 on the instructions of Louis XIV who wanted to found an institution for the care of wounded and retired soldiers and officers. To this monumental complex was added a church, Saint-Louis des Invalides, crowned by the no less imposing dome, built between 1677 and 1708. At the end of the XIXth century, after the transfer of Napoleon’s remains, the Invalides were divided into two parts: the dome on one side, and on the other the rest of the church.
It was at the church of the Invalides that took place the
first performance of the Grande Messe
des Morts (the Requiem) on 5 December 1837, under the direction
of Habeneck.
Berlioz gives a detailed account of the complicated circumstances
of the commission, composition and performance of the work. This includes the
celebrated and controversial story of the pinch of snuff taken by the conductor
at the critical moment, the beginning of the Tuba mirum with its four
brass fanfares (Memoirs chapter
46). See also a
review of the première of the Requiem, published in Le Charivari,
6 December 1837 (in French).
Les Invalides in the early 20th century
This old postcard is in our collection.
Les Invalides in the early 20th century
This picture has been scanned
from a 1908 postcard in our collection.
Les Invalides in the early 20th century
This old postcard is in our collection.
Interior of Les Invalides
This old postcard is in our collection.
This old postcard is in our collection.
© 2000-2006 (unless otherwise stated) Michel Austin and Monir Tayeb for all the photos, engravings and information on this and other Berlioz in Paris pages
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