You have expressed happily the lovely poetry of that sublime drama.
In a mystical subject where one is tempted to fall into an abuse of somber tones and severity of style, you have shown yourself a colorist while retaining charm and clearness.
Be content; your work will be heard again and will endure.
Au revoir; with all my heart I congratulate you.
My affectionate congratulations to Madame Massenet.
AMBROISE THOMAS.
I read and re-read this dear letter. I could not get it out of my thoughts so agreeable and precious was the comfort it brought me.
Mme. Pauline Viardot
I was lost in such delightful revery when, as we were taking the steamer for Capri, I saw a breathless hotel servant running towards me with a package of letters in his hands. They were from my friends in Paris who were delighted with my success and who were determined to express their joy to me. A copy of the Journal des Debats was enclosed. It came from Ernest Reyer and contained over his signature an article which was most eulogistic of my work, one of the most moving I have ever received.