The words of the first monologue were very mournful; they
began with:
O Mort! viens terminer les malheurs de ma vie.*
* O Death! hasten to terminate the misfortunes of my life.
To these, suitable music was necessary. It was, however, upon this
that Madam de la Popliniere founded her censure; accusing me, with
much bitterness, of having composed a funeral anthem. M. de
Richelieu very judiciously began by informing himself who was the
author of the poetry of this monologue; I presented him the manuscript
he had sent me, which proved it was by Voltaire. "In that case,"
said the duke, "Voltaire alone is to blame." During the rehearsal,
everything I had done was disapproved by Madam de la Popliniere, and
approved of by M. de Richelieu; but I had afterwards to do with too
powerful an adversary. It was signified to me that several parts of my
composition wanted revising, and that on this it was necessary I
should consult M. Rameau; my heart was wounded by such a conclusion,
instead of the eulogium I expected, and which certainly I merited, and
I returned to my apartment overwhelmed with grief, exhausted with
fatigue, and consumed by chagrin. I was immediately taken ill, and
confined to my chamber for upwards of six weeks.
Rameau, who was charged with the alterations indicated by Madam de
la Popliniere, sent to ask me for the overture of my great opera, to
substitute it for that I had just composed. Happily I perceived the
trick he intended to play me, and refused him the overture.
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