Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1909-08-04
ANECDOTES OF REYER
Inc Famous French Composer
Was Blunt of Speech.
He HAD A cAUsTIc TONGUE.
His Biting Wit Was Lsvishly Be-
slowed Upon Those Who Annoyed or
D'splessed Him-As an ofieehols.,
nc Was the Limit of Indifference.

he Was the Limit Of indifference.
Ernest Reyer. the famous French
composer. bad biting wit and caus.
TIC tongue. Fortune frowned on him
at the beginning OF his musical career
ana bis drst opera. "Erostrate." was
played only twice. This did not WORRY
heyer much. although. as he said "a
the manager, 81 had hoped to see I,
played three times at least" "Ero.
strate" was rather meanly staged. In
the FIRST act the temple OF Ephesus
was supposed to fall and did not. IT
suppose" said Reyer. that they
thought that If the play dropped hard
enough the-audience would excuse the
templer'
At that time the manager OF tha
opera was a man named Holanzier
VINO was no musician and whom Reyer
oisliked- Halanzier had a way OF Pat.
ronizing the composer which made him
furious. and he took his revenge one
evening In Brussels "Slgurd." after
having had some success I'm Paris. was
played at the Theatre de Ia Monnaie I'm
BRUSSELS and achieved q triumph. Aft
er the FIRST performance Reyer gave n
supper. 10 which he invited Halanzier
who was delighted when the composer
AFTER n speech I'm his honor. lifted his
glass and said. And now I wish TO
drink 10 Halanzier." Halanzier bowed
and smiled. and Reyer. without NOV
ing a muscle. went on calmly and i'm
perturbably-"to Halanzier. the one
manager TO whom I owe nothing"
Reyer was playing one Of his compo-
sitions at friends house when little
girl-he hated children-commenced 10
cry and would not be comforted For
PHYS sake" cried Reyer furiously.
put that child on a chair and sit on
her face. one Of your" The crying child
became some fifteen years later Nine
Rose Caron. the singer who helped
Reyer TO the pinnacle Of fame.
IL was Ernest Reyer who was tho
original perpetrator OF the Joke with
reference 10 twins which has been
ascribed TO so many people A friend
OF his had just become the father OF two
boys and had them brought 10 TO the
composer. Charming" said Ernest
Reyer charming children. ."
patting their checks eingerIy with his
gioved hand. delightful children real
ly. Which one are you going TO keep"
When he was appointed librarian 10
the Paris Opera he took his duties
very easily and as matter OF fact
scarcely ever went 10 the opera
house. He was fond Of telling the
story Of his first visit 10 his Office. He
went to IL one evening at dusk six
years after he had been appointed.
He lost bis way and wandered about
up and down narrow passages and
dark corridors until be ran up against
doorkeeper whom he had passed two
or three times already The man. dis
trusting the stranger. stopped him aud
said. Who are you. and where are you
goingf Reyer looked him up and
down. Il am the librarian" he said
haughtlly. and am looking for the
library"
One day a young musician called on
him with warm letter OF Introduction
from mutual friend. Reyer received
him and. " incing. asked him TO play
the two pieces which his friend had
recommended After the FIRST one had
been performed the pianist turned ex-
pectan'ly 10 the composer What DO
you think OF thatI" he asked. Il prc-
fer the other one" said Reyer. and
the young man left without playing II
When lie was on the stairs the old
composer leaned over the banisters
and called 10 him. Your future is as
sured. young man." he said. You
have nearly learned when 10 stop. But
II you had let me Off the first niece
too And. chuckling. he went into
his fat again.
once young lady sang him the
grand air from "Sigurd" and sang IL
rather badly. Il was so frightened.
cher maitre" she said. Not nearly as
frightened as ! wasr' was the old
mans answer.
On another occasion lady said to
him: "Oh. n. Reyer. when ! hear the
dir OF Doves in 'Salammbo' | can posi-
lively see you writing &c. can see
you In your beautiful home i'm Pro.
vence. between the mountain and the
sea, drawing inspiration from the sun
shine Of the south and Reyer inter
rupted her. There is something the
matter with your eyesight. madame. "
he growled. when | composed that
air | was sitting on the top OF an ON
nibus, smoking pipe. and It was rain
ing IN torrentsw
One more example. \ lady who
lodged opposite him in the Rue de Ia
Tour d'Auvergne was an ex-pupil OF
the conservatory, and this. II seemed
TO her. was the chance OF q lifetime
The master could not help hearing her
sing, and II he heard her he would be
captivated and her future would be as
Eured SO she opened her window and
daily sang numbers from his "Salamm-
bo." In due course n messenger knock
ed at her door. M. Reyer has heard
YOU" he began, and the singer be-
lieved that all her dreams were com
ing true IN. Reyer has heard you"
the messenger continued, land he
sends his compliments and would es-
TEEN it n favor If you would close
your windows when you are practic-
mgr