Category: #countdown1876

Many farewells; nevertheless, our evening reception is exceedingly crowded. Many Englishmen, among them a reverend gentleman who, though very Jesuitical in manner, nevertheless declares himself enchanted. Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]

Siegfried and Götterdämmerung; and so, in the most astonishing manner, the programme has indeed been adhered to, one that no person had believed possible. At the conclusion R. addresses a few beautiful words to the audience and presents his artists, saying that it was they who had given him courage by…

Walküre proceeds exceedingly well, save that Herr Betz quite openly rebels against his part; he laughs aloud when, after an outburst of applause, the greater portion of the audience calls for silence in order that they may hear. R. requests the Order of St Michael for him and Herr Niemann; the King…

R. has again gone to meet the King in the night. In the morning, a visit from Prince Georg. In the evening, Rheingold. Afterwards, to Marie Dönhoff’s. Great demand for the third cycle; the malicious rumours have had time to prove themselves false. Herr Betz increasingly negligent. Revised English translation by Jo…

The Frenchmen (Monsieur Laurent of the orchestra, and Bovet)[1] give us a déjeuner, at the conclusion of a matinée at Frau Eckert’s; in the evening, an artists’ gathering at our house. Prince R. Liechtenstein will not see the third cycle either, as he has once again fallen ill. [[1] Orchestra…

The King’s birthday, dinner at the Government President’s residence; in the evening, farewell to Lusch, who returns to the convent school, very painful in many respects; the child’s disposition concerns me. I do not go to Mimi in the evening, who seems very strange and distant to me here. Revised…

The Duke of Meiningen dines with us; he has conferred a decoration upon Frau Materna. In the evening, a great reception at our house; Saint-Saëns plays. Marie Dönhoff and her mother, Madame Minghetti,[1] are present, the latter very gifted. [1] Mme Minghetti, Mother of Countess Dönhoff and wife of the…

Walküre, Siegfried, Götterdämmerung proceed undisturbed; I miss the first act of Walküre, being too greatly fatigued; for the second, R. himself comes to fetch me, unable to bear that I should not be present. Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]

The King writes most wonderfully of the impression made upon him by the performances, and announces his visit for the third cycle. — Visit from the Duke of Meiningen and his consort. In the evening, Rheingold, this time very good, save that Herr Betz is exceedingly lifeless. Revised English translation…