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 heat. He had ordered magnificent wine from Wiesbaden for the occasion, and the revelry became so boisterous that towards evening several musicians had to be carried down in wagons, like wounded soldiers after a battle. The trumpeter Kühnert was found the next morning in the woods above Bürgerreuth, where he had slept through his drunkenness!
During a Siegfried III rehearsal, he encouraged the singer Unger not to merely mime Brünnhilde’s kiss, but to embrace her wholeheartedly! I not only deeply revered the master, but passionately loved him. Had he so desired, I would have leapt into the fire for him!. – He complains about his bad teeth. – After Brandt demonstrates Siegfried III’s transformation into the Fire Mountain, he henceforth calls him his “Fire Master”.