[1] Perhaps because of Bizet's dissatisfaction, Souvenirs de Rome is often wrongly described as "unfinished";[citation needed] it is a complete work and fully scored.
[3] By 1866 he had written his first version of the complete work, in which the first movement was a Theme and Variations,[4] but he was dissatisfied and set about undertaking a total revision.
[3] Three movements of the revised score, minus the Scherzo, were performed on 28 February 1869, under the title Fantaisie symphonique: Souvenirs de Rome, again conducted by Pasdeloup.
[5] Another reason for the alternative title is that his earlier symphony was in the same key, C major, and it was believed by some that calling his second symphonic venture a suite would be less confusing.
[1] However, Gustav Mahler thought highly enough of Roma to conduct the Vienna premiere in 1898–99, and to expose American audiences to it on his 1910 tour.
[6] Its actual United States premiere was on 11 November 1880 at the Metropolitan Concert Hall, conducted by Theodore Thomas.
It has been recorded a number of times, under conductors such as Sir Thomas Beecham, Lamberto Gardelli, Louis Frémaux, Michel Plasson, Jean-Claude Casadesus, Enrique Batiz[8] and Fuat Mansurov.