The performance of the Messiah went off very well. I was in capital form and rather strange to our ideas of an oratorio audience's attitude had to repeat the air " Why do the Nations." Rubinstein, Leschetitsky, Mme. Essipoff, Louis Brassin, Leopold Auer, Helmy Raab, the charming Prima Donna of the Imperial Opera all friends and colleagues of Davidoff, who conducted were present, and we all met again on the following night at Leschetitsky's house, Mme. Essipoff receiving the company. These weekly receptions in the salons of the famous pianist and teacher were among the fashionable events of the season.