Slept long; as all the rehearsals are in the afternoons I decided to allow myself to stay in bed in the mornings so as to dispel my nerves. I looked through some Aida recitatives, congratulated Ossovskaya on her name-day, and some time after two came in for the Aida rehearsal. Mounting the podium with feelings of the keenest pleasure, I began in a business-like and resolute manner. Pretty good! Aida went much better than Rigoletto. It may well be an easier proposition to conduct, but on the other hand it is more interesting and has a range of 'attractions' that Tsybin's Rigoletto excerpts lack: a chorus, a ballet, a wind band, and a chorus of offstage priests. Due to the inexperience of the singers I could hardly hear them, and often was reduced to following their lips. In any event, the reherasal must be counted a success, since the management generally declared that it was satisfied with Aida.