I then went homr [after the premiere of the Third Piano Concerto], followed by Gottlieb and Smallens, both very enthusiastic. I changed my clothes and rested before the first general rehearsal of the music of Oranges with the full complement of orchestra, chorus and soloists but seated rather than with the action on stage. It went extremely well and gave me great pleasure, although I was utterly exhausted afterwards. I had the impression that the chorus and soloists were barely audible behind the orchestra, but it always seems like that from the conductor's podium, and contrary to what I had thought the singers came up to me to thank me for not drowning them. Present at the rehearsal was Milyukov, who has been in Chicago for a few days and is leaving today. He sat and listened with the vocal score I had given him, and liked the opera very much. He was apparently particularly impressed by the passion and conviction with which the principals sang their parts. In two weeks' time he will be on his way back to Paris, where he will pass on his impressions.