Category: April 1876

Tedious household troubles; for me as well a variety of correspondence. Quietly in the garden with the little children, playing croquet, “The Thousand and One Nights”; suddenly our friend Doepler arrives with sketches for the Ride of the Valkyries, very beautiful. A pleasant evening amid various conversations. A letter from…

It would seem that the rumours of war are to be traced to the desire for a fall in the market on the part of the proprietors of the “Tagblatt” (Vienna). Herr Jauner remains silent. R. holds the third rehearsal with Herr Unger and is satisfied with him. In the…

A day of torment; the packing away of the winter things brings the troubles of the household to light! … In addition, an evening conference with gloomy reports. Our friend Feustel believes that war is imminent; the rebels, it is said, have taken the fortress of N. Added to this…

R. receives a letter from Lilli Lehmann; they all once more protest against Fräulein Brandt. Otherwise she still seems to assume that she will receive no leave. First rehearsal with Herr Unger: R. appears not dissatisfied, though neither entirely satisfied. Lessons with the children. In the morning Herr Groß visited…

R. receives in the morning a letter from Dr J. in reply to his telegram of Sunday: protests and fright at the phrase concerning the “hostile disposition of the Court Opera Direction” in the telegram; yet he nevertheless adheres to the condition of performing “Die Walküre” in November with his…

Nothing from Hülsen, nothing from Mallinger, nothing from Scheffsky, nothing from Jauner, nor from Materna! Great anxiety! …R. writes to Lilli Lehmann to express his astonishment at the general opinion against Brandt, founded merely upon her ugliness, and at the unartistic nature of such a manner of judgment. — Yesterday…

R. writes to Hofrat D.[1], in order to demand an explanation for the brief telegram. — Then he telegraphs to Frau Materna, since he can no longer place trust in Director Jauner. In the evening a letter from Lilli Lehmann, Frau von Voggenhuber is in the same condition as Frau…

About midday, as we have our musicians at lunch with us, several telegrams arrive; first, from Herr Niemann, recommending a Fräulein von Pretfeld for Sieglinde, of whom all present declare that she is—even in figure alone—impossible! Then from Herr Jauner, who expects the answer to his letter in order to…

R. writes to Herr von Hülsen! … Very serious and urgent, he must hope that it will meet with success. — I am in constant communication with the English governess. In the evening, “Don Quixote”.