Pearls of wisdom are found when least looking…

Handel’s “Messiah” is one of our favorite treats during the Christmas season – this year my wife Dru Scott and I went to three Messiah concerts, including the last San Francisco sing-a-long. But it was in the most recent one with the American Bach Soloists that we learned the most, and it directly relates to creating the experience of personality. Often, with insight, cleverness, drama and downright creativity we can overcome some lack of skills in our natural manner.

So…. I was reading in the program about this Susanna Maria Cibber, and wondered why the notes (excellently written by the conductor Jeffrey Thomas) went on and on about her love life and the gossip and hints at a ménage a trois, etc.

Then it became clear.

The great actress Susanna Cibber was not much of a singer, but Handel WANTED her to be the soloist when he opened The Messiah in Dublin. He even adapted some of his work to fit her voice. Why would he do that for someone not that skilled?

Because she herself was an experience. Although not the greatest musician, she was great at making herself memorable.

In the words of Jeffrey Thomas:

“Susanna Cibber was already living in Dublin by the time Handel arrived at the end of 1741. She was not a “musician’s musician” by any stretch of the imagination, but her dramatic talents revealed in Handel’s arias the essence of expression and, particularly, sadness that impressed him so much that he was willing to work long hours assisting her preparations. Charles Burney wrote of her singing that ‘by a natural pathos, and perfect conception of the words, she often penetrated the heart, when others, with infinitely greater voice and skill, could only reach the ear.’”

Reach the heart of your listeners, whenever you speak or communicate. You can overcome the shortcomings of (or enhance) your natural self. Create your own experience of yourself – in every setting. People will remember you!

Merry Christmas!