Etienne-Nicolas Méhul (1763-1817) is considered the greatest French symphonist before Berlioz, and an important and prolific composer of opéras comiques. His use of large forces and striking effects anticipated Berlioz. Méhul’s five symphonies were influenced by the last symphonies of Mozart while he, in turn, had a profound influence on Berlioz, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Weber. He was one of the most important composers of the early Romantic movement in France.