Music with Ease > Classical Music > Concert Guide: Romantic Era > Overture to King Lear (Berlioz)

The overture to "King Lear," written in 1831, was inspired by Shakespeare's tragedy. It opens with an introduction setting for a vigorous theme. A lighter one follows in the oboe with string accompaniment, next taken up by horns and trombones, the introduction closing closing with the first theme. The principal movement opens with a passionate theme followed by a tender melody in the oboe. The principle theme and a portion of the oboe melody are developed, leading to a recapitulation of the whole matter of the overture, variously treated, and a strenuous Coda closes the overture.