berlioz had always had a passion for the latin poet virgil. in 1856 he spent a long time writing a long opera in five acts called "les troyens" ("the trojans"). he knew it would be almost impossible to find anyone who would put on a performance. it only became possible in 1863 after he had divided the work into two parts. after that it was 30 years before the opera was performed again. it contains some of his best music. the storm scene is especially famous and often performed separately as an orchestral piece.