Lablache and Tom Thumb

Lablache was perhaps the greatest basso the stage has ever known—towering in stature, powerfully built, with a head people called “the finest that ever decorated a human body.” His voice was huge, yet perfectly controlled. And he had a taste for jokes.

Once, in Paris, he happened to be in town at the same time as Tom Thumb, the famous little “General.” A countryman came to Paris specifically to see Tom and asked a mischievous local for directions to where the tiny celebrity was staying.

The joker sent him, not to Tom Thumb, but to Lablache’s address.

The rustic rang the bell and Lablache himself answered. Stunned, the visitor managed: “A thousand pardons, Monsieur—there must be a mistake. I hoped to see Tom Thumb.”

Lablache caught the joke instantly and replied gravely: “Sir, there is no mistake. I am Tom Thumb.”

“But… how… I thought Tom Thumb was very small!”

“Yes, yes,” said Lablache. “Before the public, I am small—very small indeed—only so tall,” holding his hand about two feet from the floor. Then he rose to his full height and let his deep voice ring out. “But here at home, I sing and take my ease.”

The countryman left delighted, full of wonder—and fully satisfied.