Keep In with The Accompanist: A Handelian Tale

This story may not be true, but it is a bit of fun! It is typical of Handel’s wit, and his inability to suffer fools gladly. I apologise in advance for the replication of the composer’s pidgin English.

"It is good policy for a singer to keep "on the good side of" his accompanist. A really fine accompanist is a rare bird. Besides the technical skill necessary to a soloist, an accompanist must have the finest musical feeling and discrimination, and at the same time sacrifice himself to the interests of the singer. And oftentimes the accompanist must shoulder the sins of the singer. It is an easy way to relieve oneself from the blame of a "bad break" by charging the fault to the accompanist. A singer once tried this with Handel, and declared that if Handel didn't accompany him better, he should jump over onto the harpsichord where the player sat and smash it.

Said Handel: " Let me know ven you vill do dot, and I vill adverdise id. I am sure more beoble will come to see you shump as vill come to hear you sing." He didn't jump."

From Anecdotes of Great Musicians by W. Francis Gates (1896), with minor edits.