Even a work hallowed by time and success had to bear his mark; much greater were his reasons for interpolating in a new work.
He would announce brusquely that the period or the country in which the action of the work took place must be changed.

He tormented us for a long time to make the dancer into a singer on his wife's account.

Later, he wanted to introduce a second dancer.

With the exception of the prologue and epilogue the action of the piece takes place in a dream, and he took upon himself the invention of the most bizarre combinations.
He even proposed to me one day to introduce wild animals.

Another time he wanted to cut out all the music with the exception of the choruses and the dancer's part, and have the rest played by a dramatic company.
Later, as they were rehearsing Hamlet at the Opera and it was rumored that Mlle.