Night journey to Fantaisie. Very exuberant. When, during an orchestral rehearsal of “Die Walküre,” I had bright tears in my eyes at the passage: “A noble troop of fallen heroes embraces you there,” Wagner noticed this, came up to me, jokingly gave me a nudge in the chest, and said: “What sentimentality! We, here on stage, know that it’s all an illusion!” Those out there (the audience!) are to be duped, but we remain completely cold!”!!!
Rehearsals on stage! – Wilhelmj plays Bach’s Chaconne magnificently. Wagner says about Seidl’s carelessness: “If I could give others something of my being, I would probably be healthier and the others would be worth something more! That’s what we men are for, not women!” He talks about Reisinger, Esser, Richard Levy (horn player, Freischütz Overture), Röckel, Schnorr, and others. “If I need something while composing, it’s always there!”
The two Brassius brothers. The brother lets his brother, who has no house key and is waiting, somewhat tipsy, on the steps in front of the house, sit quietly, unlocks the house quietly, and goes to sleep!
Wagner often spent evenings at the restaurant, where he drank his grog. He was annoyed with Levy because of the altered passage in the “Eroica.” Levy wept and behaved childishly. Wagner said, “Someone offered me an excellent cigar. It doesn’t bite, stink, or burn.” He raved about the Magic Flute overture, which perfectly captured the fairytale tone.