wished for more, he desired not only that the people be made to laugh immoderately, but that one should sing in the theater of Messieurs les comédiens du roi.” This was an enormity and essentially contrary to the dignity of the Comédie-Française. Nevertheless, as Beaumarchais had an obstinate will, the comedians to please him undertook to sing at the first representation the airs introduced into the Barbier; but whether the actors acquitted themselves badly at this unaccustomed task, or whether it was that the public did not like the innovation, all the airs were hissed without pity and it had been necessary to suppress them in the next presentation. There was one air in particular to which the author was strongly attached; it was the air of spring sung by Rosine in the third act. “Quand dans la plaine,” etc. The amiable actress, Mademoiselle Doligny, who had created the rôle of Rosine, little used to singing in public, and still less to being hissed, refused absolutely to recommence the experiment and Beaumarchais had been forced to resign himself to the sacrifice of the air.
But as in everything he only sacrificed himself provisionally.
At the approach of the day of the clôture, he proposed to the comedians to write for them the compliment which it was the custom to give, but on condition that they sing his famous air which he proposed to bring into the compliment, that was to be played by all the actors of the Barbier.
As Mademoiselle Doligny still refused to sing the bit in question, Beaumarchais suppressed the rôle of Rosine, and replaced it by the introduction of another actress more daring, who sang very agreeably, namely, Mademoiselle Luzzi.
This amusing proverb in the style of the Barbier had a great success and the delicious little spring song as sung
by Mademoiselle Luzzi received at last its just applause. In the scene in which it was produced the daring author has dialogued thus:
Scene III
Mlle. Luzzi—“Very well, gentlemen, isn’t the compliment given yet?”
Figaro—“It’s worse than that, it isn’t made.”
Mlle. Luzzi—“The compliment?”