Chapter XIX.
Delsarte's Last Years.
Before concluding these essays, my homage to the innovating spirit, the
matchless art, the sympathetic and generous nature of Francois Delsarte,
I make a final appeal to my memory, and, first, I invoke afresh the
testimony of others.
_La Patrie_, June 18, 1857, says in an enthusiastic and lengthy article:
"His deep knowledge, his incessant labors, his long and fatiguing
studies, have not allowed his life to pass unnoted; but although great
renown, attached in a short space to his name, has sufficed for the
legitimate demands of his pride, it has done nothing, it must be owned,
to provide for the wants which the negligences of genius do not always
foresee."
Then, apropos of Gluck and other unappreciated composers of genius, the
author of the article, Franck Marie, goes on:
"With the confidence to which I recently referred, Delsarte has
undertaken the reform. Sure of the success which shall crown his bold
undertaking, he began almost unaided, a movement which was no less than
a revolution. Between two snatches from Romagnesi or Blangini, the
majestic pages of Gluck appeared to the surprise of the auditor. The
heroes of the great master took the place of Thyrcis and Colin, the
songs of Pergolese and Handel, coming from the inspired mouth of the
virtuoso, at once aroused unknown sensations. Lully and Rameau,
rejuvenated in their turn, surprised by beauties hitherto unsuspected.
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