Smallens took a rehearsal of the first scene with all the singers. It was very interesting and, I thought, successful. Peoply have been insisting to me for so lon that I do not write well for voices that it was a pleasant surprise to listen to a scene like this and see how admirably it turned out. After the ensemble, the Mexican Mojica sang the Prince, and it was absolutely marvellous: he is musical and committed, and trotted out the most difficult passages as if they were child's play. Everything is going so well.