Let the Fat Lady Sing

Johanna Wagner, the niece and star performer of "Ride of the Valkyries" composer Richard Wagner, was probably the original subject of the expression "It's not over till the fat lady sings."

Benjamin Lumley, a London opera producer, made a contract with Wagner to come to London and perform exclusively for his theater.  After Wagner broke the contract by performing for rival producer Frederick Gye, Lumley sued her.  Lumley won the suit, restricting Wagner from performing for anyone else, but Wagner still refused to perform for Lumley.  As a result, Wagner didn't sing at all.

Lumley vs. Gye
The most EPIC battle between arch-nemesis proprietors of fine opera in the whole 19th century!

Lumley then took Gye to court for enticing Wagner to break the contract. After a long and costly legal battle that depleted Lumley's finances, the court ruled in favor of Lumley but awarded him ZERO compensation.  Lumley ended up in even worse financial trouble than if he hadn't sued Wagner.

T​he lesson? If you expect that continuing your lawsuit against a Wagner Valkyrie will drain you of your livelihood, end it.  Just let the fat lady sing.