<P> In the 1855 preface, a different outlook towards the work's programmatic undertones is established by Berlioz: </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> "</Td> <Td> The following programme should be distributed to the audience every time the Symphonie fantastique is performed dramatically and thus followed by the monodrama of Lélio which concludes and completes the episode in the life of an artist . In this case the invisible orchestra is placed on the stage of a theatre behind the lowered curtain . If the symphony is performed on its own as a concert piece this arrangement is no longer necessary: one may even dispense with distributing the programme and keep only the title of the five movements . The author hopes that the symphony provides on its own sufficient musical interest independently of any dramatic intention . </Td> <Td>" </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "</Td> <Td> The following programme should be distributed to the audience every time the Symphonie fantastique is performed dramatically and thus followed by the monodrama of Lélio which concludes and completes the episode in the life of an artist . In this case the invisible orchestra is placed on the stage of a theatre behind the lowered curtain . If the symphony is performed on its own as a concert piece this arrangement is no longer necessary: one may even dispense with distributing the programme and keep only the title of the five movements . The author hopes that the symphony provides on its own sufficient musical interest independently of any dramatic intention . </Td> <Td>" </Td> </Tr> <P> After attending a performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet on 11 September 1827, Berlioz fell in love with the Irish actress Harriet Smithson who had played the role of Ophelia . He sent her numerous love letters, all of which went unanswered . When she left Paris, they had still not met . Berlioz then wrote Symphonie fantastique as a way to express his unrequited love . Harriet did not attend the premiere in 1830, but she heard the work in 1832 and realized Berlioz's genius . The two finally met and were married on 3 October 1833 . However, their marriage became increasingly bitter, and they eventually separated after several years of unhappiness . </P>

Which unusual musical elements are found in dream of a witches sabbath from symphony fantastique