Aaron J. Rabushka wrote:

>'Les Nuits d'Ete forms a tender foil to the more extoverted and often
>hysterical Berlioz.....'Nuits d'Ete helps put a little balance into the
>picture.

and Bob Kasenchak wrote:

>Berlioz always sounds to me as if he lived 50 years after he actually did.

I do agree.

Berlioz could be so bombastic and, yet, when he composed this song cycle
from the poems of Theophile Gautier...he wrote with a delicacy and intimacy
quite unlike any composer I can think of until...perhaps Poulenc.

Maybe someone can name some other art song composers...(Griffes' "Lament
of Ian the Proud" is another poem set with extreme sensitivity.)

My best during a wonderful Virginia rainstorm, which we desperately need,
Christine (hope I don't get zapped!)