Page:Anecdotes of Great Musicians.djvu/94

82 singing of Farinelli, the great tenor, on Philip V, of Spain. That monarch was affected by a mild kind of insanity and refused to be properly dressed, shaved, or to transact State affairs. Consequently, he presented a rather unkingly appearance and altogether was decidedly useless in his royal capacity. Numerous remedies and plans were tried, but without success. Finally, music was suggested, as the king was very susceptible to its charms, and a messenger was dispatched for the great tenor.

It was arranged that Farinelli should sing in a room adjoining the royal apartments. By the time he had finished the second song, the king appeared much moved by the beauty of his voice and ordered that the singer should be brought to him. When this was done the enraptured monarch overwhelmed him with compliments and offered to grant him anything he might ask.

Farinelli was modest in his demands, only asking that the king should allow himself to be properly cared for and should attend to his duties of State. To this the royal patient assented. So pleased was he with Farinelli's singing and its effects on his royal mind, that he engaged the singer to give him four songs every night and agreed to pay him the equivalent of £2,000 per year for life. It is unnecessary to say that Farinelli was wise enough to accept so good an offer.

The difference between the two kings in their treatment of their musicians was that one threw javelins at his humble servant, the other, ducats.

For ten years Farinelli stayed in King Philip's service, singing the same four songs to his Majesty every evening. Under Philip's successor, Ferdinand VI, Farinelli enjoyed the same position and, as this monarch was subject to the same infirmity as his father, had the same duties to perform. He was the king's prime favorite and acquired great power and riches; but under the next inheritor of the throne he was ordered to leave the kingdom.