Category: June 1876

Letter from Councillor Düfflipp, promising postponement of payment until the 800th patron’s certificate. R. beside himself with joy. — Arrival of the English governess. Very pleasing to me, since the German dispositions hitherto have been most unsatisfactory. In the evening Siegfried; Herr Unger still hoarse, notwithstanding this a magnificent impression! Incomparable. Reflections…

The worm hasn't arrived yet; it comes from England, and part of it (the tail) is swimming in the canal. The set design for the second act is beautiful. Magnificent effects are achieved through the use of transparent lighting. However, this has gone too far; even the soffits and drooping…

Third act of Siegfried; R. staging and arranging it, most exhausting for him. In the morning Herr Kögel not very pleasant as Hagen; afterwards orchestra, in the evening setting up of the score. Herr Unger, as ever, still hoarse; Herr Brandt in despair because the painters, the Brückner brothers, have abandoned him;…

Levy gives us conducting lessons. Upbeat, alla breve, etc. Wagner praises Kater Murr! "I am, along with Bismarck, the only living German worth his salt!" He praises the talent of the French. Wilhelmy gave the orchestra a feast at the Restoration these days. It was an afternoon in the sweltering…

Still no governess, about which we laugh, since the children conduct themselves so very properly, and we call them our Pestalozzis,[1] because they educate themselves. R. rehearsal with Herr Kögel in the morning; very exhausting for him; in the evening the second act of Siegfried with orchestra. Magnificent; yet Herr…

Again the second act of Siegfried, again Herr Unger hoarse! Thereby a great paralysis of the effect. R. and I weary in the evening. Trouble with Herr Kögel (Hagen!); for Donner, Gura has been chosen. — It is said that matters stand ill in Turkey.[1] [1] The Turkish Parliament denied…

I should also report on the scene rehearsals for Act 1 of Siegfried, where I had numerous opportunities to intervene. As with the previous rehearsals, the approach remained the same: everything was changed the following day. I consider this topic completely exhausted, and unless something special comes to light, I…

First rehearsal of the second act of Siegfried; Herr Unger hoarse, which is truly distressing, indeed almost alarming. Nevertheless the act produces a marvellous effect. The scenery is extraordinarily beautiful, and Herr Brandt has once more worked magic. About midday R. returned home very sorrowful, the scenery being not at…

R. greatly exhausted, the swelling still persisting, yet he drives to the orchestral rehearsal. Prof. Doepler offended by R.’s vehemence (everything is still lacking, from the properties and so forth). In the evening R. reconciles him in his own beautiful manner. In the evening at the restaurant with the Usedoms,…