Instead of conveying the performers to Versailles, as had been the extravagant practice of the late reign, Louis and Marie Antoinette went into Paris when they desired to visit the theatre.

The citizens, delighted at the contrast which their frequent visits to the capital afforded to the marked dislike of it shown by the late king, crowded the theatre on every night on which they were expected; and on one of these occasions Gluck's "Iphigenie" was the opera selected for performance.

It contains a chorus in which, according to the design of the dramatist, Achilles was directed to turn to his followers with the words "Chantez, celebrez votre reine." But the French opera-singers were a courtly race.

The French opera had been established a century before as a Royal Academy of Music by Louis XIV., who had issued letters patent which declared the profession of an opera-singer one that might be followed even by a nobleman; and it seemed, therefore, quite consistent with the rank thus conferred on them that they should take the lead in paying loyal compliments to their princes.
Accordingly, when the performer who represented the invincible son of Thetis, the popular tenor singer, Le Gros, came to the chorus in question, he was found to have prepared a slight change in his part.

He did not address himself to the myrmidons behind him, but he came forward, and, with a bow to the boxes and pit, substituted the following, "Chantons, celebrons notre reine, L'hymen, que sous ses lois l'enchaine, Va nous rendre a jamais heureux." The audience was taken by surprise, but it was a surprise of delight.