A possibly apocryphal story about him got as far as New Zealand: A young contralto at the end of a Handel solo put in a high note instead of the less effective note usually sung. The conductor, Barnby, was shocked, and asked whether Miss – thought she was right to improve on Handel. "Well, Sir Joseph, said she, I’ve got an 'E' and I don’t see why I shouldn’t show it off". "Miss –," rejoined Barnby, "I believe you have two knees, but I hope you won’t show them off here".
A possibly apocryphal story about him got as far as New Zealand A young contralto at the end of a Handel solo put in a high note instead of the less effective note usually sung The conductor Barnby was shocked and asked whether Miss – thought she was right to improve on Handel "Well Sir Joseph said she I’ve got an 'E' and I don’t see why I shouldn’t show it off" "Miss –" rejoined Barnby "I believe you have two knees but I hope you won’t show them off here"