“Gounod was there. In his sweet, weak voice, but with the most perfect expression, he sang ‘O nuit d’ivresse’ with Madame Bauderali; then, alone, the song of Hylos.
“A young lady played the dances, and they made me recite without music Dido’s scena, ‘Va, ma sœur.’
“It had a fine effect. They all knew my score by heart. I longed to have you there.”
“Paris, 23rd December 1864.—I have just sent you a copy of La Nation, with two columns by Gasperini about The Trojans business at the Conservatoire. I did not know of that letter of Gluck. Where the devil did you get it? That is always the way. Beethoven was even more insulted than Gluck. Weber and Spontini share the honour.
“Only people like M. de Flotow, author of Martha, have panegyrists. His dull opera is sung in all languages, all theatres.
“I went to hear that delicious little Patti sing Martha the other day; when I came out I felt creepy all over, just as if I had come out of a fowlhouse—with consequences!
“I told the little prodigy of a girl that I would forgive her for making me listen to platitudes—that was the utmost I could do!
“But that exquisite Irish air, ‘The Last Rose of Summer,’ is introduced, and she sings it with such poetic simplicity that its perfume is almost enough to disinfect the rest of the score.
“I will send Louis your congratulations; he will be very pleased. He has read your letters and thinks me fortunate in having such a friend as you. Good-bye.”
To Madame Ernst.