While on tour, at a concert in 1909, at the Nizhny Novgorod fair, she was heard by the great tenor Leonid Sobinov. He brought her to the attention of a wider public, which soon included the tsar's family as well as the opera singer Feodor Chaliapin.
During her tour, in 1909, at the Nizhny Novgorod fair, she was noticed by the celebrated tenor Leonid Sobinov. He helped bring her to the attention of a wider circle, which eventually included the tsar's family and the opera singer Feodor Chaliapin.