Today 150 years ago

The king had arrived during the night. From Bayreuth he went directly to the Eremitage. Wagner had been waiting for him at the station, traveled with him, and stayed with him until 3 a.m. without any court officials.  This morning, the city, adorned in its finest, saw the top officials…

Several arrivals, including that of the Prince of Liechtenstein; cheerful luncheon, in the evening, dress rehearsal without audience; the King also summons me to him and says that surely I had never doubted that he would remain faithful to us. The rehearsal goes very well. A great illumination for the…

Great delight in Lusch, who has grown considerably. I paid several visits with her. In the evening, several guests. Amidst all this, great vexation. Without informing R. of it, the Administrative Council announces a public rehearsal at the price of three marks. R. is beside himself. Revised English translation by Jo Cousins…

Various vexations; the Ducal Palace is using the question of Frau von Schl.’s accommodation as a reason to behave rudely towards us! … In the afternoon, rehearsal of “Rheingold” — Herr Niemann present, and ‘gracious’, as I teasingly tell him. We remain after all at the restaurant, because R. wishes to…

There is no rehearsal; nevertheless we drive to the theatre: R. wishes to discuss the final scene (the appearance of Wotan) with Herr Brandt and to inspect Doepler’s costume designs. I am much distressed by them; the archaeologist’s playful impulse finds expression therein, to the detriment of the tragic and the mythical….

R. holds a rehearsal in the morning with Frau Materna; in the afternoon, the third act of Götterdämmerung with orchestra, an indescribable impression! In the evening at the restaurant, where R. becomes very vehement towards the Brückners, who had expressed themselves most awkwardly (they had said that they could not…

The whole of Götterdämmerung!!! Unger restored back to health; in his stead, trouble with Hagen; Herr Kögel, nervous, departs; negotiations with Scaria, whose baseness remains true to itself. Great distress in the cashbox: every day costs two thousand marks, little money comes in, and Herr Feustel reports that within three…

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,…

Proben: Unger, Reichenberg, Schlosser, Rheintöchter. Seidl, Fischer und Mottl führen die Wägen. Wagner sagt: „Seitl“, Fischer „im Wasser“ und „Mottulationen!“ Frau Grün. Kühnert. Brucks. Jaide.

Rehearsal of Siegfried; magnificent! Unger surpasses all expectations, recalling somewhat Ludwig Schnorr von Carolsfeld. Great joy; alas, clouded by the anxiety whether the requested postponement will be granted us. — In the evening at the theatre; most of the musicians already present, Frau Jaide also. A thunderstorm, the rain pours…

In the morning rehearsal of the forge-scene with Unger and Schlosser. In the afternoon swim-rehearsals with the Rhine maidens in the theatre. In the evening supper with Wagner, Brand, Richter in the restauration.

Rehearsal; Richter is here, dines with his wife at our table. The rehearsal, at which R. demonstrates everything himself, has greatly fatigued him, yet his satisfaction in Unger remains. After dinner R. considers whether, in Rheingold, when Wotan greets Walhall (“so name I the stronghold”), he should have him take…

I drove up there with R. one of these days; the scaffolding has been removed—an exalted impression from the auditorium as from the stage, almost dreamlike; it moves one with a wistful exaltation. How little true participation has accompanied the spirit which here reveals itself; how detached it stands! This…

The artist arrive one after the other. Niering, architect Runckwitz. Courtgarden. Rehearsal with the gymnasts. Fricke shows the movements for the Nibelungs in Rheingold to them. We all participate enthusiastically.

Dance lessons in the morning. 11 o’clock with Unger and Seidl to the master. Unger not restored yet. Young Brandt was given a deadline of 6 days, in which the swim-machines must be ready, so next Sunday! – 7 ½ o’clock in the gymnasium. During the exercises came Seidl, Mottl…

Once more cold and nothing of a cheering nature; the painters Brückner so greatly in arrears; few applications from abroad, so that our friend Groß comes to entreat that R. should write to the King for a postponement of the repayment. R. does so without much hope, since the Civil List is…

On the Master’s birthday I arrived. I threw myself into tailcoat and white cravat and appeared thus, to Wagner’s great amusement at Wahnfried! “Here comes Count Almaviva!” he cried in greeting.  Cold sweat stood on my brow from anxiety, all the more because he said, apparently in complete seriousness, that…

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”.

R. dreams that I cast myself into the water, and awakens in tears and cries; it astonishes me, for never have I thought so much, and with such longing, of death. In the evening the “Kladderadatsch”, which contains much drollery concerning the performance of “Tristan und Isolde”! — Mr. Tribert…

Loldi ill, caught a cold; I divide my time between her and the lessons. R. is not altogether well.

Meeting, at which the machinist Brandt once more displays his entire superiority; he alone knows what to do; the ceiling, which can no longer be executed here, is to be painted upon canvas by the Brückners. Traduzione in italiano di Claudia Bilotti [© Claudia Bilotti | WAGNER Salon] Revised English…

Received visitors! The newspapers report that R. is to become General Music Director; then that he is selling the theatre to the Empire (!!!), then again the Faust project! R. discusses with the Mayor the forlorn condition of the theatre. News of the great success of the second performance. Traduzione…

Honoured Sir, I truly regret that I have not yet been able to secure the free time requisite to express myself concerning your alto violin so fully as I deem necessary, in order that I on my part might contribute to obtaining for this instrument the attention which is its due….

Household affairs and the children’s lessons. In the afternoon I drove out to the theatre; great alarm at the conditions there, it seems impossible that it should be completed in time! … In the evening, “Don Quixote,” the splendid scene in which he gives Sancho counsel upon entering his governorship….

Letters written; a despatch from Eckert reporting the great success of the second performance. In the evening Herr Rubinstein, conflicts!

Most honoured Herr Doctor,     The time has now arrived when I must come to an understanding with you regarding the interpretation of the various contracts or bonds which I concluded and signed with the firm of B. Schott’s Sons for the purpose of obtaining various advances, amounting together (if I mistake…

Brief and to the point! Here the “questions to be settled”, which Doepler handed to me in Berlin: be so good as simply to note, beside each number, what you will undertake, and what, on the other hand, Doepler is to undertake. Your dear Herr Bruder was of the greatest importance to…

Departure at half past one; spirits good, the weather mild; at Eger we receive the news that there is no connection and that we must pass the night here; this proves positively cheering to us, since we had made inquiries on all sides in Bayreuth. Much talk about the Arabs,…

Poor Brange is ill; yesterday she gave birth to three young, which are already dead! A silent, suffering creature—how exalted above discontented, complaining mankind! … [“All right, I hear you!!”][1] This jest of R.’s makes us laugh, otherwise there is little cheerfulness; preparations for departure.

R. had a bad night; during it he read two essays by a certain Herr Löffler on Götterdämmerung in the Fritzsch Newspaper, which are very good. — —  R. lately related at the dinner table how, in Vienna, he again encountered at dusk the poor man to whom he had…

Frau von Schl. writes that the Emperor has ordered the performance of Tristan for the benefit of our theatre—a circumstance which does not give R. excessive pleasure; he forfeits his royalties thereby, and the small proceeds are of little use. He works, I teach and make preparations for the journey. In the evening we while away the time in talk.

R. had a bad night, he believes to be on account of the newly arisen uncertainty with regard to Vienna; he works on the score; yet, as he has received no reply from America, he resolves not to drive himself. He feels as though he were once more in the…

R. had a good night, doubtless as a consequence of the resolve not to go to Vienna. Now, however, Director Jauner telegraphs that only the daily expenses are to be deducted from the chorus, and that he himself will discuss everything with R. R. telegraphs in the evening to ask…

Correspondence with the Aachen Music Festival Committee, which boasts that in the year ’57 it performed compositions by R. and thereby incurred many inconveniences; in recompense they now desire Herr Vogl at the beginning of June!! … R. out of humour with Vienna; a journey there seems improbable. He begins…

R. writes to Dr. Jauner to ask whether the performance might not be postponed to another time, since circumstances are now so grievous. — Germany is said to have lost one and a half milliards, and that chiefly among the working classes; the wealthy bankers merely make a show of…

I am occupied with the draft for R.’s birthday, besides the lessons. R. is greatly vexed by a dispatch from Jauner, reporting that half of the receipts, together with the daily expenses, are to fall to the theatre, so that the chorus will receive only about 2,000 florins from the…

The king had arrived during the night. From Bayreuth he went directly to the Eremitage. Wagner had been waiting for him at the station, traveled with him, and stayed with him until 3 a.m. without any court officials.  This morning, the city, adorned in its finest, saw the top officials…

Several arrivals, including that of the Prince of Liechtenstein; cheerful luncheon, in the evening, dress rehearsal without audience; the King also summons me to him and says that surely I had never doubted that he would remain faithful to us. The rehearsal goes very well. A great illumination for the…

Great delight in Lusch, who has grown considerably. I paid several visits with her. In the evening, several guests. Amidst all this, great vexation. Without informing R. of it, the Administrative Council announces a public rehearsal at the price of three marks. R. is beside himself. Revised English translation by Jo Cousins…

Various vexations; the Ducal Palace is using the question of Frau von Schl.’s accommodation as a reason to behave rudely towards us! … In the afternoon, rehearsal of “Rheingold” — Herr Niemann present, and ‘gracious’, as I teasingly tell him. We remain after all at the restaurant, because R. wishes to…

There is no rehearsal; nevertheless we drive to the theatre: R. wishes to discuss the final scene (the appearance of Wotan) with Herr Brandt and to inspect Doepler’s costume designs. I am much distressed by them; the archaeologist’s playful impulse finds expression therein, to the detriment of the tragic and the mythical….

R. holds a rehearsal in the morning with Frau Materna; in the afternoon, the third act of Götterdämmerung with orchestra, an indescribable impression! In the evening at the restaurant, where R. becomes very vehement towards the Brückners, who had expressed themselves most awkwardly (they had said that they could not…

The whole of Götterdämmerung!!! Unger restored back to health; in his stead, trouble with Hagen; Herr Kögel, nervous, departs; negotiations with Scaria, whose baseness remains true to itself. Great distress in the cashbox: every day costs two thousand marks, little money comes in, and Herr Feustel reports that within three…

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…