All great artists, the illustrious Richard more than any other, mocked the critics.
As I have spoken of Richard Wagner's youth, I will take advantage of the opportunity to reveal a secret of one of his own works which is known to me alone.

When Wagner was young, I was a child and I attended constantly the sessions of the Societe des Concerts.

The kettledrummer of that day had a peculiar habit of breaking in before the rest of the orchestra.
When the others began, it produced an effect which the authors had hardly foreseen and which was certain to be condemned.

But the effect had a rather distinctive character and I thought it might be possible to use it.

Richard Wagner lived in Paris at the time and frequented the famous concerts.