If It’s Too Expensive, Let the Marshal Sing

Gabriella was said to be generous and kind, but she also knew her worth. When Empress Catherine II summoned her to St. Petersburg to sing at court, no fee was agreed in advance. Soon after her arrival, the Empress casually asked what terms she demanded for singing before the royal audience.

Gabriella decided that a royal patron should pay a royal price: ‘Five thousand ducats.’ Catherine exclaimed that it was absurd—she did not pay any of her field-marshals so much.

Gabriella answered without blinking: ‘Then, Your Majesty, you had better get one of your field-marshals to do the singing.’