From Berlioz with love

The 8th March is the 150th anniversary of the death of the famous French composer Hector Berlioz. In this letter, in the Gerald Coke Handel Collection at the Foundling Museum, Berlioz sends apologies to the flautist Jules-Antoine Demeur (husband of one of Berlioz’ favourite actresses), as he was instead going to Exeter Hall ‘to hear their famous Messiah’. Katharine Hogg, Librarian, Gerald…