I well remember, at a concert I attended shortly after the conclusion of the Nikolsburg Peace Treaty — it was given by the pianist Joseffy, then a juvenile phenomenon, who subsequently developed into one of the most accomplished executants in Europe — a select audience of Berlin dilettanti enthusiastically recalled a good-looking songstress for performing a lengthy and elaborate cavatina by Kossini exactly an eighth of a tone below the key in which it was accompanied by the concert-giver. As far as amateurs were concerned, a German Fraeulein "of society" who habitually sang in tune was as remarkable a rarity.