In 1901, when the phonograph was just coming into fashion, soloist of the Imperial theatres N. N. Figner called the voice recording on the record profane art, and solemnly declared, that she would never sing in front of the mouthpiece. But it's hard to resist the temptation! Two years later the plate with his voice were sold throughout Russia, bringing the artist of considerable revenue. And ten years later N. N. Figner was headed by the Russian Joint stock Company of Gramophones - one of the most popular record companies of the time.