The first opera put on under the new management was Reynaldo Hahn's L'Ile de Rêve. He dedicated that exquisite score to me. That music is pervading for it was written by a real master. What a gift he has of wrapping us in warm caresses!
That was not the case with the music of some of our confrères. Reyer found it unbearable and made this image-raising remark about it:
"I just met Gretry's statue on the stairs; he had enough and fled."
That brings to mind another equally witty sally which du Locle made to Reyer the day after Berlioz's death,
"Well, my dear fellow, Berlioz has got ahead of you."
Du Locle could permit himself this inoffensive joke for he was Reyer's oldest friend.
I find this word from the author of Louise whom I knew as a child in my classes at the Conservatoire and who always felt a family affection for me:
Midnight, New Year's Eve.
Dear Master:
Faithful remembrance from your affectionate on the last day which ends with Sapho and the first hour of the year which will close with Cendrillon.