Highest paid musician in the world

Years ago I read an article (I think in the Wall Street Journal, interestingly enough) about the cymbal player at the Metropolitan Opera. It said he was the highest paid musician - per note - in the world. Some operas being very lengthy, and the veteran orchestra musicians being quite familiar with the standard repertoire, the piece said that the cymbalist would occasionally slip out of the orchestra pit and go across the street to a bar and have a drink, and be able to get back for the next note he was to play.