Wednesday, August 06, 2008

How to Handel a Singer

An English Singer, named Gordon, once found fault with Handel's method of accompanying. High words ensued ; and Gordon finished by saying, that, if Handel persisted in accompanying him in that manner, he would jump upon his Harpsichord and smash it to pieces. ' Oh ! ' replied Handel, ' let me know when you will do that, and I will advertise it ; for I am sure more people will come to see you jump, than to hear you sing.'

from The Life of George Frederick Handel
By William Smyth Rockstro, George Frideric Handel
Published by Macmillan, 1883

No comments: