Oysters and champaign before a concert

“Sibelius and his wife Aino were in Gothenburg for a concert, the composer disappeared shortly before he was due to conduct.  Aino found him, immaculately dressed in his white tie and tails, drinking champagne and eating oysters at a nearby cafe.  Returning with him to the venue, she thought her husband was fine until he began the Oceantides overture.  After a few bars, alas, he stopped the orchestra and started to give them notes … convinced that he was at a rehearsal.”

Mourby, Adrian (2011) “15 Hungry Composers”, BBC Music, May 2011, p.50.

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