i pined for all that now and then , the books , the lectures in the cathedrals to which i 'd listened with precocious interest , and the lovely nights in my uncle 's florentine house when i 'd fallen asleep to the sounds of spectacular opera extravaganzas , my mind brim full of the dazzle of miraculous figures swooping down on wires , lutes and drums playing wildly , dancers frolicking almost like acrobats and voices soaring beautifully in unison .