On Gabriel Fauré’s birthday, I am fascinated to learn that the composer was not only hugely popular in England, having visited there many times, he was also greatly admired by Sir Edward Elgar.

Fauré was staying the month with Elgar’s friend, Frank Schuster, prior to the London premiere of Elgar’s Symphony No. 1, in 1908. Following a rehearsal, the two attended a dinner party held by Schuster in their honor.

What did the two of them talk about? Their moustaches, I hope.