My Recollections

In his autobiography, Massenet has bequeathed to posterity his most cherished moments. At the age of ten, he began to chronicle his life in a diary given to him by his mother and the nostalgia, simplicity and warmth which radiate from his music also permeate his autobiography. He recalls his journeys to Italy, Bayreuth and London, the performances of his operas and his meetings with Verdi, Thomas and the Abbe Prevost, whose novel inspired his opera Manon.