I should also report on the scene rehearsals for Act 1 of Siegfried, where I had numerous opportunities to intervene. As with the previous rehearsals, the approach remained the same: everything was changed the following day. I consider this topic completely exhausted, and unless something special comes to light, I will not mention it again.
I had to abandon the idea of writing a director’s outline and scenario for the time being; the details are already fixed in my mind. I will jot down the main points and do the work when the main rehearsals begin. I am convinced in advance that Wagner will change everything again during these rehearsals.
Act 1 of Siegfried presents unspeakable difficulties because Unger (Siegfried) has to forge his sword Nothung on a real hearth fire with a truly glowing iron rod. The decoration, the rocky cave, Mime’s forge, is once again a masterpiece of decorative painting. Siegfried, who’s role is excessively hard and so much to sing, has worked valiantly, forging his sword to the music until finally attaching the hilt and then, at the end, splitting the anvil with it. Much work, much effort, but in the end it acquired the stamp of truth and naturalness, and another obstacle had been overcome.