Yesterday’s performance of “Götterdämmerung.” So much sweat and anxiety! The final scene was utterly unacceptable! The criticism I had to endure – the direction was torn to shreds! Brandt’s performance was widely attacked. I had to remain silent; some of it was, unfortunately, all too true. And despite everything, the main thing is that a great deed has been accomplished, and the majority of opinions are in favor of the work.
I don’t need to talk about the successes here; the newspapers report enough of them. Wagner was summoned and said: “You have now seen what we can do; want it now! And if you want it—then we will have art.”
Cheers! These words are already flying around the world, and I’m sure there will be another scandal. Last night at the banquet, Wagner softened his statement, “Then we will have an art,” by saying, “Then we will have a new art!”