The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1911-01-19
ANECDOTES OF REYE7
The Famous French Composer
Was Blunt of Speech.
HE HAD A CAUSTIc TONGUE.
His Biting Wit Was Lavishly p..
slowed Upon Those Who Annoyea or
DispIeased Him-As an officehol4er
He Was the Limit of indifference.

composer, had biting wit and a cGUs
tic tongue. Fortune frowned on lin
at the beginning Of his musical career
and his first opera, "Erostrate," was
played only twice. This did not worry
Reyer much, although, as he said to
the manager, 81 had hoped to see i,
played three times at least" "I7o
strate" was rather meanly staged. In
the first act the temple of Ephe-us
was supposed to fall and did not u
suppose" said Reyer, that thoy
thought that If the play dropped hard
enough the audience would excuse lie
temple"
At that time the manager of the
opera was a man named Haan2ier,
who was no musician and whom Reyer
disliked HalanZier had way of pat
ronizing the composer which made lin
furious, and he took his revenge enc
evening in Brussels. 'Sigurd." after
having had some success in Paris. was
played at the Theatre de la Monnai, in
Brussels and achieved a triumph. Aft
er the first performance Reycr gave
supper, to which he invited Hall .zior,
who was delighted when the compoeer,
after speech in his honor, lifted his
glass and said. land now | viii TO
drink to Halanzier." UalanZicr bowed
and smiled. and Rcyer. without nov
ing muscle. went on calmly and I'M
perturba bly-"to HalanZier, the one
manager to whom | owe nothing"
rs-,o <,f
sitions at friends house when a little
girl-he hated children-commenccd TO
cry and would not be comforted. "I'or
PHYS sake" cried Reyer furious,y
put that child on q chair and sit N
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.
1t was Ernest Reyer who was the
original perpetrator of the joke with
reference to 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 in to the
composer. "Charming," said Ernest
Reyer ACKNOWLEDGMENT children"
patting their cheeks gingerly with bis
gloved hand, delightful children real.
ly. Which one. are You going to Keep"
When he was appointed librarian TO
the Paris Opera he took his duties
very easily and as matter of fact
scarcely ever went to the opera
house. He was fond Of telling the
story Of his first visit to his Office. lie
went 10 it one evening ct dusk six
years after he had been appointed.
He lost his way and wandered abUut
up and down narrow passages ana
dark corridors until he ran up against
a doorkeaper 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
going?" Reyar looked him up and
down. 81 am the librarian" he said
haughtily. land / am looking for the
library"
One day young musician called on
him with a warm letter Of introduction
from mutual friend. Reyer received
him and, wincing. asked him to play
the two pieces which his friend had
recommended. After the first one had
been performed the pianist turned oX-
pectantly to the composer "What do
you think of that?" he asked. Il pre-
fer the other one," said Reyer, and
the young man left without playing it.
When he was on the stairs the old
composer leaned over the hanistcrs
and called to him. Your future Is as
sured, young man." he said You
have nearly learned when TO stop. But
If you had let me off the FIRST piece
too And. chuckling, he went into
his fat again.
Once young lady sang him tie
grand air from "Sigurd" and sang it
rather badly. 81 was so frightened,
cher mnitre!" she said. Not nearly rs
frightened as / WASP was the old
mans answer.
On another occasion a lady said 10
him: "Oh. NJ. Reyer, when hear the
air Of Doves in 'Salammbo' l can posi-
lively see you writing it. ] can see
! you in your beautiful home In 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
matter with your eyesight. madam
he Crowled. when l composed th
air was sitting on the top CT an or
nibus, smoking pipe. and it was
ing In torrents!'
One more example. A lady who
lodged opposite him in the Rue de "a
Tour d'Auvcrgne was an ex-pupil cf
the conservatory, and this. it seemed
to her. was the chance of q lifetime
The master could not help hearing her
sing. and If he heard her he would be
captivated and her future would lie a..
sured. So she opened her window and
daily sang numbers from his "Salan. n.
bo." In due course a messenger knoc!;
ed at her door. IN. Reyer has heard
you" he began, and the singer be-
lieved that all her dreams were corr
ing true. IN. Reyer has heard you
the messenger continued. "and b.
sends his compliments and would cs-
TEEN it favor If you would close
your windows when you are practic-
ingw