The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Amélie Bourgeois created Symphony of Roses in 2024 as part of Anthèse's expanding collection of expressive, modern scents. The opening move, frankincense and myrrh instead of a bright citrus or green note, signals that this isn't a conventional floral. The resinous opening is immediate and commanding, setting a mood that's smoky, aromatic, and slightly sweet before any floral element arrives. By the time Moroccan rose arrives, it's walking into territory that's already been claimed, already been warmed, but it arrives with a presence that feels earned rather than expected. The jasmine doesn't soften the entrance. It deepens it, adding an opulent floral density that extends the composition's complexity. Symphony of Roses doesn't argue with tradition. It restages it.
The frankincense and myrrh opening is the structural choice that makes everything else work. These resinous materials establish an aromatic foundation that's both smoky and slightly sweet, creating a mood that feels warm and personal. Moroccan rose arrives into this atmosphere, not leading but joining. The jasmine that follows deepens the floral presence without softening the entrance. Instead of a smoky drydown, the composition pivots to iris and vanilla, a powdery-warm finish that extends the floral narrative rather than replacing it.
The evolution
The opening is an event. Frankincense and myrrh arrive together, creating a cloud that's smoky, aromatic, slightly sweet. It reads as incense, but not church incense, something warmer, more personal. Someone burning resin in a small room. The composition is essentially resinous, present, commanding attention. Then the Moroccan rose begins to push through. Not dramatically. More like pressure building behind a door. Egyptian jasmine arrives and the florals take over, but the myrrh doesn't fully retreat. It stays underneath, adding a dark warmth that keeps the rose from being purely romantic. The iris begins to assert itself, bringing powdery violet-like facets that shift the character from floral to something softer, more abstract. The vanilla doesn't arrive as an announcement. It seeps in quietly, warming everything underneath.
Cultural impact
What sets Symphony of Roses apart is its unconventional opening, the frankincense and myrrh prelude creates a sensory experience that's fundamentally different from most rose fragrances. Where other compositions announce their floral identity immediately, this one builds atmosphere first, then lets the rose emerge into that space. The resinous foundation transforms how the sweetness is perceived, making it feel intrinsic rather than applied. For wearers seeking a rose fragrance that subverts expectations, the opening act with frankincense and myrrh is what distinguishes this composition from more conventional approaches.
