77.—THE RIGHT KIND OF A PATRON.
Piccinni, that composer who came so near taking the palm from Gluck in the race the two ran for the favor of musical Paris, at the end of the last century, had a happy experience when, as a young man, he essayed to enter the arena of composition. He had presented his first opera to a manager just after he graduated from the Naples Conservatoire. Like many another first attempt, it was refused. Prince Vintimilla, learning this, called upon the manager and asked, "How much would you lose if you presented Piccinni's opera and it turned out a failure?"
"Fifteen hundred dollars," was the reply.
"Here it is. If the opera fails you may keep the money; if not, you can return it to me."
The opera was brought out and proved a great success. This brought Piccinni to the notice of the musical world and gave him a reputation which remained bright until he met his Waterloo in the competition with Gluck at Paris.