Armand-Louis Couperin (1727-1789), a member of the the famous Couperin family, the son of Nicolas Couperin, died after being knocked down by a runaway horse which had unseated its rider.
The triumphant career of Maria Malibran was cut short [at the age of twenty-eight] She had become romantically involved with the Belgian violinist Charles de Bériot. The couple had lived together for 6 years, they had a son, Charles-Wilfrid. Her death was caused by over-exertion after a fall from a horse. In spite of her injuries, she insisted on singing at the festival in Manchester that year where she sang a duet with Madame Caradori-Allan.
Sir George Smart (1776-1867), English composer and conductor tells the story:
‘They settled the manner at rehearsal as to how it was to be sung, but when the time came Madame Caradori-Allan made some deviation; this prompted Malibran to do the same, in which she displayed most wonderful execution. During the well-deserved encore she turned to me and said:Charles-Wilfrid, when adult, became a professor of piano at the Paris Conservatoire, his pupils included Maurice Ravel and Ricardo Viñes. Among his compositions are four piano concerti, and other works for the instrument.
‘If I sing it again it will kill me.’
‘Then do not,’ I replied, ‘let me address the audience.’
‘No,’ said She, ‘I will sing it again and annihilate her.’
She was taken ill with a fainting fit after the duet and carried into her room.’
Johan Peter Salomon, violinist, composer, conductor and impresario. He introduced Haydn and Mozart to London. Haydn’s Salomon Symphonies are named after him. He died in London as a result of a riding accident.
Cole Porter (1891-1964) had a horse-riding accident in 1937 which left him a semi-invalid, necessitating 30 operations and the eventual amputation of a leg.