Andras Schiff On Coughing Audiences

Pianist Andras Schiff has a sore spot for those who come to his concerts and cough: “Luckily I was in a good disposition, so I just very quietly stood up and said, ‘Could we now make a coughing break. Please feel free to cough,’ and I just walked off. I was told by friends that this person got very red and left the hall, and after five minutes I came out and started again, and all went beautifully.”