He wrote operas, and no sooner did he have the synopsis of a story but he would invite-or rather summon-a crowd of his friends to his house and read it aloud to them.

• 他写歌剧，刚刚构思出剧情轮廓就赶忙邀请，更确切地说，召集一群朋友到他家，把剧情梗概大声念给他们听。