Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921). L.A.S., January 26, 1916, to Jean Poueigh; 3 pages in-8 at his address Rue de Courcelles, 83bis, envelope. Response to a survey on Wagner and German music in France. Should Wagner be played after the war? He should not be played because he symbolizes the German Fatherland in the eyes of his compatriots. We shouldn't play him, because [the] overwhelming beauties of his works overshadow their flaws, which we end up mistaking for qualities; because our young composers, unable to imitate the beauties, assimilate the flaws, and French music consequently loses its special qualities of order, clarity and taste. He shouldn't be played, because amateurs have a blind and intolerant passion [for] his works, which makes them despise the French School, which cannot live if it is neither appreciated nor encouraged. It is only to be feared that Wagner is taking on the dangerous lure of forbidden fruit. Above all, the works of his German successors, Richard Strauss and others, should no longer be played.