That of the _Barber of Seville_ lasts twenty-one minutes and a-half. That of _Otello_ lasts twenty-four minutes. [Sidenote: FINALES.] The quintett of _Gazza Ladra_ lasts twenty-seven minutes. The finale of _Semiramide_ lasts half an hour--or perhaps a minute or two less, if we allow for the increased velocity at which quick movements are "taken" by the conductors of the present day. CHAPTER XII. OPERA IN FRANCE, AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF GLUCK. A few months before Gluck left Paris for the last time, an insurrection broke out at the Opera. The revolutionary spirit was abroad in Paris. The success of the American War of Independence, the tumultuous meetings of the French Parliament, the increasing resistance to authority which now manifested itself everywhere in France; all these stimulants to revolt seem to have taken effect on the singers and dancers of the Académie. The company resolved to carry on the theatre itself, for its own benefit, and the director, Devismes, was called upon to abdicate. The principal insurgents held what they called "Congress," at the house of Madeleine Guimard, and the God of Dancing, Auguste Vestris, declared loudly that he was the Washington of the affair. [Sidenote: MADEMOISELLE GUIMARD.] Every day some fresh act of insubordination was committed, and the chiefs of the plot had to be forced to appear on the stage by the direct interference of the police. "The minister desires me to dance," said Mademoiselle Guimard on one of these occasions; "_eh bien qu'il y prenne garde, je pourrais bien le faire sauter_." The influential leader just named conducted the intrigue with great skill and discretion. "One thing, above all!" she said to her fellow conspirators; "no combined resignations,--that is what ruined the Parliament." To the minister, Amelot, the destroyer and reconstructor of the Parliament of Dijon, Sophie Arnould observed, in reference to his interference with the affairs of the Académie--- "You should remember, that it is easier to compose a parliament than to compose an opera." Auguste Vestris having spoken very insolently to Devismes, the latter said to him--- "Do you know, sir, to whom you are speaking?" "To whom? to the farmer of my talent," replied the dancer.