I had brought with me from Paris the prejudice of that city against Italian music; but I had also received from nature a sensibility and niceness of distinction which prejudice cannot withstand.

I soon contracted that passion for Italian music with which it inspires all those who are capable of feeling its excellence.
In listening to barcaroles, I found I had not yet known what singing was, and I soon became so fond of the opera that, tired of babbling, eating, and playing in the boxes when I wished to listen, I frequently withdrew from the company to another part of the theater.

There, quite alone, shut up in my box, I abandoned myself, notwithstanding the length of the representation, to the pleasure of enjoying it at ease unto the conclusion.

One evening at the theatre of Saint Chrysostom, I fell into a more profound sleep than I should have done in my bed.

The loud and brilliant airs did not disturb my repose.