...Mehul had the satisfaction of observing throughout the performance that Napoleon and the entire com­pany in the consular box, in the very best of spirits, were constantly nodding their approval, Napoleon repeatedly expressing the opinion, as Mehul learned later, that the Italian music was ani­mated by a totally different spirit than the French and that Mehul would never be able to offer such a composition. Tumultuous applause, and the demand, "The composer! The composer's name!" succeeded the fall of the curtain. Mehul's name was announced.