Paw Prints Anecdotes: Sir Thomas Beecham

Sir Thomas Beecham
(1879–1961)

Sir Thomas Beecham Anecdote...

Sir Thomas Beecham was traveling in a nonsmoking compartment on a train belonging to the Great Western Railway. A lady entered the compartment and lit a cigarette, saying, "I'm sure you won't object if I smoke."

"Not at all," replied Beecham, "provided that you don't object if I'm sick."

"I don't think you know who I am," the lady haughtily pointed out. "I'm one of the directors' wives."

"Madam," said Beecham, "if you were the director's only wife, I should still be sick."

Quote-worthy...

There are two golden rules for an orchestra: start together and finish together. The public doesn't give a damn what goes on in between. —Sir Thomas Beecham

Biographical Note...

British conductor and impresario. As guest conductor with the New York Philharmonic from 1928, founder of the London Philharmonic Orchestra (1932), and artistic director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Beecham was influential in promoting classical music for U.S. and British audiences.

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