First orchestral rehearsal; it sounds marvellous, says R. — Yet in the evening he returns home very happy, the experiment has succeeded, the female singers really go into the machinery, Hill climbs up himself; that which had been deemed impossible is indeed accomplished through the magic of genius! — I am overcome by an indescribable anguish; thoughts wander far afield, return heavily as clouds, discharge themselves in tears, and rise once more in prayer. Listened to the birds, Bird Bülow sings, the golden oriole! …
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]