The Paris company did not comply with Gayarre because the maestro Thomas had not finished his opera. And Madrid opened the season without Gayarre. Due to the clamor of the public, J. del Villar, commissioned by the company, appeared before Gayarre. At last he returned to the Teatro Real, where the five tenors were ill. Debut with The Puritans . Except for the public of paradise, he was received coldly. The "all of Madrid" did not understand the value of the given word. Given that attitude, Gayarre was unable to emit his voice and decided to retire from Real. But the pleas of his friends and of that most faithful and knowledgeable public, that of "paradise" or "chicken coop", prevented him. The reparation function was a continuous triumph. He had to sing The Puritans sixteen nights during the season. After this came the great event, the representation of Lucia di Lammermoor , with Julián Gayarre and Adelina Patti. The memory of that duel the most famous artists of the time lasted for many years. I finished the season with Lohengrin , by Wagner. Gayarre's victory and the discussed music of the German maestro were complete.
MEL