Thursday 13th (13th July, 1876)

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. I should like everything far simpler, more primitive. As it is, all remains mere simulacrum. In the evening, a few friends. Discussion of the new biography of R. by Glasenapp,^[1] in which there are some inaccuracies, yet astonishing researches into original sources. — The piano rehearsals ended with the complete dismissal of Herr Rubinstein, who has once again displayed here the most lamentable traits attributed to his race.

^{[1] Carl Friedrich Glasenapp (1847-1915), his biography was initially planned as 2 volumes, 1st volume 1876, 2nd volume 1877, expanded to 6 volumes by 1911.}