2-720-407 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'"Did not you say could sing at sight?" - "Yes, sir, but not at FIRST sight!"', (1907). The German composer Handel works on his "Messiah" in 1741: 'detained at Chester for some days by contrary winds, he got together at his inn several of the choir boys from the cathedral in order to try over some of the choral passages in the work. One at least of these trial performers must have carried away an unpleasant experience of the great man's impetuous temper. 'Can you sing at sight?' was the question put to each before he was asked to sing, and one broke down lamentably at the start. 'What de devil you mean!' cried Handel, snatching the music from his hands. 'Did not you say you could sing at sight?' 'Yes, sir, I did,' responded the confused singer, 'but not at first sight!' An episode from the life of German composer George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). From "Story-Lives of Great Musicians", by F.J. Rowbotham. [Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. Ltd, London, 1907]