"Be Charlotte, our Charlotte," I said, utterly carried away.
The day after the first performance at the Opéra-Comique, in January, 1893, I received this note from Gounod:
"Dear Friend:
"Our most hearty congratulations on this double triumph and we regret that the French were not the first witnesses."
The following touching and picturesque lines were sent me at the time by the illustrious architect of the Opéra.
| "Amico mio, |
| Two eyes to see you, |
| Two ears to hear you, |
| Two lips to kiss you, |
| Two arms to enfold you, |
| Two hands to applaud you. |
| and |
"Two words to give thee all my compliments and to tell thee that thy Werther is an excellent hit—do you know?—I am proud of you, and for your part do not blush that a poor architect is entirely satisfied with you.
"CARLO."
In 1903, after nine years of ostracism, M. Albert Carré revived this forgotten work. With his incomparable talent, his marvellous taste, and his art, which was that of an exquisite man of letters, he knew how to present the work to the public so as to make it a real revelation.
Many famous artistes have sung the rôle since that time: Mlle. Marie de l'Isle, who was the first Charlotte at the revival and who created the work with her fine, individual talents; then Mlles. Lamare, Cesbron, Wyns, Raveau, Mmes. de Nuovina, Vix, Hatto, Brohly, and ... others whose names I will give later.