Opus Arte

7 April 1805 – the first public performance of Beethoven’s third symphony, Eroica, at the Theater-an-der-Wien in Vienna, Austria. Legend has it that Eroica was to be dedicated to Napoleon who Beethoven had very much admired – until he crowned himself Emperor in 1804, inspiring the composer to scratch through the dedication. Beethoven conducted for this performance.

^{© Hermitage Museum, 2010}