"Smarra" di Nodier: una fonte occulta per la "Symphonie fantastique" di Hector Berlioz?

Hector Berlioz was a passionate connoisseur of literature and poetry, and often draws inspiration from contemporary writers or from important classical works (Aeneid, the Shakespearian theatre, Goethe’s Faust). The main aim of this essay is the investigation on the remarkable similitude between the program of the Symphonie fantastique (1830) and the plot of Charles Nodier’s fantastic novel Smarra, first published 1821. Berlioz never mentioned Nodier, but it seems incredible that he didn’t know such a prominent and discussed writer and particularly his challenging dream-novel, where the fantastic narration thoroughly disrupts form, logic and self-awareness. This article explores and discusses the possible points of contact between Berlioz’ Fantastique and Nodier’s Smarra in the frame of French Revolution, along with nightmares, doubles and femmes fatales.