Hector Berlioz was a French composer. He was born in 1803 and died in 1869. He gave up medicine to study music at the Paris Conservatoire, where he gained the first prize in 1830 with his cantata Sardanapale. For about two years he studied in Italy, and when on his return he began to produce his larger works, he found himself compelled to take up the pen both in defence of his principles and for his own better maintenance.
As critic of the Journal des Debats and feuilletonist he displayed scarcely less originality than in his music, his chief literary works being the Traite d'Instrumentation, 1844; Voyage Musical, 1845; Les Soirees d'Orchestre, 1853; and A traversChant, 1862. His musical works belong to the Romantic school, and are specially noteworthy for the resource they display in orchestral colouring. The more important are Harolden Italie; Episode de la Vie d'un Artiste, and Le Retour a la Vie; Romeo and Juliette, 1834; Damnation de Faust, 1846; the operas Benvenuto Cellini, Beatrice and Benedict, and Les Troy-ens; L'Enfance du Christ, and the Requiem. He married an English actress, Miss Smithson, but latterly lived apart from her. After his death appeared Memoires written by himself. Research Hector Berlioz
Pierre Dupont was a French poet. He was born in 1821 at Lyons and died in 1870. He was educated by his godfather, a priest, and began to write and compose songs at an early age. After issuing a volume of poems in 1844 he went to Paris and obtained a place in the office of the secretary of the Institute. Some of his songs, such as Song of Bread and Song of the Workers, had a Socialistic ring which proved obnoxious to the government which came into power in December, 1852. He was arrested, imprisoned, and condemned to be banished for seven years; but his release was soon procured. He became the poet of the working classes and his poemChant des Ouvriers was adopted as the Marseillaise of the German and French socialists. Research Pierre Dupont
St Ambrose was a celebrated father of the Christian church. He was born in 333 or 334, probably at Treves and died in 397. His father was prefect at Treves. He was educated at Rome, studied law, practised as a pleader at Milan, and in 369 was appointed governor of Liguria and AEmilia (North Italy). His kindness and wisdom gained him the esteem and love of the people, and in 374 he was unanimously called to the bishopric of Milan, though not yet baptized. For a time he refused to accept the post, but he had to give way, and at once ranged himself against the Arians. In his struggles against the Arian heresy he was opposed by Justina, mother of Valentinian II, and for a time by the young emperor himself, together with the courtiers and the Gothic troops. Backed by the people of Milan, however, he felt strong enough to deny the Arians the use of a single church in the city, although Justina, in her son's name, demanded that two should be given up. He also carried on a war with paganism, Symmachus, the prefect of the city, an eloquent orator, having endeavoured to restore the freedom to worship heathen deities.
In 390, on account of the massacre at Thessalonica ordered by the emperor Theodosius, he refused him entrance into the church of Milan for eight months. The later years of his life were devoted to the more immediate care of his see. His writings, which are numerous, show that his theological knowledge extended little beyond an acquaintance with the works of the Greek fathers. He wrote Latin hymns, but the Te Deum Laudamus, which has been ascribed to him, was written a century later. He introduced the Ambrosian Chant, a mode of singing more monotonous than the Gregorian which superseded it. He also compiled a form of ritual known by his name. Research St Ambrose
An amulet is an object employed to protect the wearer, from harmful influences or to attract good fortune, money and the like. Scientific knowledge would suggest that amulets are superstitious nonsense with no basis in fact. However, psychology may indicate that amulets do indeed function, though not quite by 'magic'. Psychologists have long established that that attitude and belief can affect a person. Salesmen chant mantras of success, and believe in their ability. This belief makes them confident and more effective at selling. Former cancer patients who believe they are free from the disease following operations are significantly less likely to redevelop the disease compared to those who believe the disease may come back. There is then a scientific basis for the functionality of amulets. If the wearer of an amulet believes in the power of the amulet, this belief will affect their behaviour, albeit unconsciously, and in turn will improve the immune system to protect against illness, or increase confidence to help attract a mate, or increase confidence and make perception
more positive to allow the wearer to realise 'good luck'. Classic amulets include the Utchat, or 'Eye of Horus'; Ankh; Scarab; The Tau; The Tet; Swastika; Crescent and Hand. Research Amulet
In music, the antiphone is the response which one side of the choir makes to the other in a chant, being alternate chanting or signing. Research Antiphone
Canto Figurato is a term applied by the old ecclesiastics to the chant in its more florid forms, in which more than one note was sung to a syllable. Research Canto Figurato
A chant is a short and simple musical melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music. Research Chant
In music, a Gregorian chant is a plain song, or canto fermo, a kind of unisonous music, according to the eight celebrated church modes, as arranged and prescribed by PopeGregory I in the 6th century. Research Gregorian Chant
A motet is a form of sacredchoral composition of moderate length, set to Latin words, and from the 14th century frequently used to supplement the service of high mass. Its music is written in one or other of the old ecclesiastical modes, and the theme is generally of a sacred character, as the melody of a plaint chant; but secular melodies have also been utilised. Certain sections usually contain passages for solo, which choralaccompaniment in fluidcounterpoint. Research Motet
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Hector Berlioz
