When it was over, the hall erupted. In Vienna, it was the custom that the royal family was applauded four times whenever they made a public appearance. To the consternation of officials and police, Beethoven was applauded five times. Among the many poignant anecdotes surrounding Beethoven, none can be sadder than the account of the end of this, his most triumpant concert. As the applause roared and swelled throughout the hall, singers and conductor took their bows. No one thought of Beethoven until the young contralto soloist Caroline Unger noticed him still standing with head bowed, his back to the audience whose cheers he could not hear. It was not until she turned him round that he realised what he had acheived.