Sunday the first Rheingold performance, attended by complete misfortune; Betz loses the Ring, runs twice into the scenery during the Curse, a stagehand draws away the backdrop too early at the first transformation, so that one sees the workmen standing there in their shirt-sleeves and the rear wall of the theatre itself, all singers ill at ease, etc., etc.- Each returns home in turn; at first R. is greatly displeased, little by little cheers up, and the unexpected visit of the Emperor of Brazil[1] puts his mood back on a wonderful track. We retire for the night in excellent spirits.
[1] Dom Pedro II (1825–1891), reigned from 1830—under a regency until 1840—and was overthrown in 1889; as early as 1857, he was negotiating with RW via an intermediary regarding the composition of Tristan for Rio de Janeiro.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]