This morning I practised Tchaikovsky, and in the afternoon went to rehearsal. On entering the hall I heard the start of the third act of The Snow Maiden. Umnova was already on stage and singing in the first ensemble. She appeared graceful, but distraught. I wished I had come earlier so that I could have helped her to calm down. 'Max, do something to make her see me.' 'Go and sit in the front row.' I went down and learned over the rail towards Tcherepnin as if to ask him something, and stayed there. Umnenkaya did see me then. She sang Lel's aria accurately, in tune, but her fright made her sing very timidly. The other Lel was then brought on, but she made a botch of the whole aria, singing half a tone sharp. I went up to Gabel and said with a smile, 'Stanislav Ivanovich, she sounds like a D flat clarinet!' 'You think the first one was better?' 'No comparison. Twenty times better. She is just terribly nervous, but that will pass.' 'Yes, yes, that's what we'll do.' And indeed, the rival was soon eliminated and Umnova restored.