Toast of Paris, born in Ennis

Harriet Simpson was born in Cooks Lane off O’Connell Street in Ennis. Her father managed a theatre and her mother acted. She took to the stage at an early age, moved to Dublin and then to London. There she got minor roles with a group managed by William Abbott.

Harriet Simpson was born in Cooks Lane off O’Connell Street in Ennis. Her father managed a theatre and her mother acted. She took to the stage at an early age, moved to Dublin and then to London. There she got minor roles with a group managed by William Abbott.
When the group travelled to France for a season of plays some of the leading names of London Theatre went with them. These included Edmund Kean and the leading actress, Maria Foote.
Many things happen as a result of being in the right place at the right time and Harriet definitely was in the right place. She was still a minor actress with the group but, shortly after their arrival in Paris, Maria Foote took ill.
The old adage “the show must go on” applied and Harriet suddenly found herself promoted to the role of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
She grabbed her chance with both hands. The show was a success due in no small way to Harriet’s powerful performance and she became the toast of Paris. There could be no thought of replacing her as the leading actress of the company and she went on to play the part of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
Harriet became a symbol of romanticism for the young artists in Paris. Those smitten included the composer Hector Berlioz and it is said that she was the model for the painting La Mort d’Ophelia by Delacroix that hangs in the Louvre.
When the run ended, the group moved on to Amsterdam and back to London and, because of this, Berlioz failed to meet her. However, when they returned to Paris in 1829 he continued to write to her but with no response.
He arranged to have his music performed at a concert where Harriet was due to appear but she was leaving as he arrived. He made such a scene to attract her attention that she gave instructions that he was never to be allowed near her. They went their separate ways – Berlioz to Rome and Harriet back to London.
When they next met in Paris in 1832 it was in very different circumstances. Harriet’s career had not progressed. The Abbott company had broken up and she was now director of her own company. This was not a success and she was facing bankruptcy. Berlioz had his Symphony Fantastique performed to great success and was acclaimed. They were introduced and, within a week, engaged, in spite of the fact that he did not understand English and she spoke no French.
Their life together did not start auspiciously. Harriet’s financial woes continued, she broke her leg, their families and friends were against the marriage and their engagement was marked by bitter quarrels and a suicide attempt by Berlioz.
He assumed Harriet’s debts and bills but neither had a steady income. Berlioz travelled all over Europe and his career flourished.
Unfortunately Harriet’s did not and she made Berlioz’s life a misery. Eventually they separated in 1844 after 12 years of marriage. That same year Harriet suffered a stroke and was incapacitated until her death in 1854.
Harriet Constance Simpson Berlioz, actress and the toast of Paris in the 1820s and 30s was born in Ennis on March 18, 1800 – 212 years ago this weak.