The father of Queen Elizabeth Ist was a talented amateur musician, having written Greensleves (although the rest of the show is lost) and was also so good at putting trumpet parts up an octave that he was known as 'Henry The 8th'.


Extract from Samuel Pepys's diary:

"Did rehearse from the hour of ten in the forenoon til the hour of one in the afternoon, then did hie me to Holborn and did besport myself  with Mistress Farthingale. Later found myself to be afflicted  with a certain duffness of the chops and so did seek a cure in pints of claret, imported from our province known as "France". Did then hie me to the concert hall and did play throughout the evening, so I am informed, in the fashion of a pig."

About Punto

Punto to Madame Mara:
"My dear friend, my lips are so parched with fear that I am sure I shall not make a sound on the instrument; I would give the world for a little water or beer to moisten my lips."
I instantly dispatched a messenger for a foaming pot; and as soon as it arrived I presented it to the thirsty musician, in the nick of time, for he was called on to play his concerto just at this moment.

( From: Menuhin Music Guides "The Horn" by Barry Tuckwell (p.125) event in year 1788, described by Michael Kelly )