The impressions become ever more overwhelming. Yesterday we had the first staging rehearsal of the second and third scenes. The transformation out of the depths of the Rhine is a masterpiece. One must see it. Every description mocks the reality, and yet Wagner still found fault and much was altered.
The rehearsal began (with piano): Fricka, Betz — Wotan, Vogl — Loge, Grün — Freia, Unger — Froh, Kögl — Donner, Haupt — Mime, Eilers — Fasolt, Reichenberg — Fafner. The gymnasts, 30 in number, I had summoned once more at half-past twelve as a precaution, for today they too were to appear upon the stage for the first time. I once again made clear to them the distinctive features of the situation and assigned their parts. 12 men are driven before Alberich beneath strokes of the lash; the other 18 follow, all laden with the treasure-hoard. They were trained in bodily agility, and within half an hour the scene was complete to my satisfaction. In the evening I led them forwards, and all were astonished. A shout of hurrah burst from those present. Wagner seized my head with both hands and would not release me. The second mountain has been climbed! and I rejoice that I have succeeded with my maxim — namely, to fashion something dramatic out of wholly untrained forces, which above all should satisfy the connoisseur.
Afterwards, beneath magnificent moonlight, I sat with the Gießels at the villa until eleven o’clock, sharing with them my joy at the success; and these good people rejoiced with me. At Angermann’s I found Heumann, who likewise had already heard of my triumphs.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]