This Companion contains essays by eminent scholars on Berlioz's place in nineteenth-century French cultural life, on his principal compositions, on his major prose writings, on his direct and indirect encounters with other famous musicians, and on his legacy in France. The volume also provides a detailed chronology of Berlioz's life.

Chronology; Introduction: Berlioz on the eve of the bicentenary Peter Bloom; Part I. Perspectives: 1. Berlioz as man and thinker Jacques Barzun; 2. The musical environment in France Janet Johnson; Part II. Principal Compositions: 3. Genre in Berlioz Julian Rushton; 4. The symphonies Jeffrey Langford; 5. The concert overtures Diana Bickley; 6. The operas and the dramatic legend James Haar; 7. The religious works Ralph Locke; 8. The songs Annegret Fauser; Part III. Major Writings: 9. The Mémoires Pierre Citron; 10. The short stories Katherine Kolb; 11. The criticism Katharine Ellis; 12. The Grand traité d'instrumentation Joël-Marie Fauquet; Part IV. Execution: 13. Performing Berlioz D. Kern Holoman; Part V. Critical Encounters: 14. Berlioz and Gluck Joël-Marie Fauquet; 15. Berlioz and Mozart Hugh Macdonald; 16. Berlioz and Beethoven David Cairns; 17. Berlioz and Wagner Peter Bloom; Part VI. Renown: 18. Berlioz's impact in France Lesley Wright; Bibliography Jeffrey Langford.