Our copy [1] at luncheon, last meal; very melancholy! Much ill is spoken of Herr Brandt, his rudeness, which his accomplishments do not justify, his ill feeling towards R., and so forth. R. suffers greatly and defends his fellow-worker in every way he can; yet it is difficult to defend him entirely. This makes R. very sad.
[1] copy = copyists: The copyists included Hans Richter, Felix Mottl, Anton Seidl, Hermann Zumpe, and Franz Fischer; they copied the scores and prepared the orchestral parts.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins [© Jo Cousins | WAGNER Salon]