Flying Off The Handle

Handel could not bear the preliminary "timing up" of the orchestra, and generally insisted that the band should get in tune before coming into the orchestra. On one occasion a wag.knowing Handel's taste, let down every peg and altered every crook, so that not a single instrument was in tune. The composer came into the orchestra, the audience applauded, the musicians took their instrumente, and at the conductor's signal the overture began. But there aróse a sound, compared with which the most diabolical chords in "Wagner's latest operas were soothing and heavenly. Handel stepped down f rom hisdesk,and nearly smashed a drum, besides losing his wig in his agitition. It was lucky for the practical joker that he was not caught by the composer of th Ifesstah