Constant rehearsing. R. is greatly worn by it — Director Jauner takes his leave in a very agitated state, after speaking with me once more about his plan to stage the “Nibelungen” work in the Prater as an Austrian folk festivity. I write to Father about it. Jauner is filled with astonished admiration for R. during the rehearsals. Sadly, his feet pain him so that he can scarcely walk! — —
An unfortunate arrival of a well-meaning journalist who, however, is tactless enough to speak of securing support from the “Kreuzzeitung”! R. also struggles to keep his singers calmly in place here.
He speaks of the sacrifice I make for him — daily opening my house to a society that is not my own — and says that with me he can do all, but without me nothing! Arrival and setting up of the colossal bust of the King. [2]
[1] “Neue Preußische Zeitung”, Berlin, 1848–1939 — a conservative newspaper.
[2] By Caspar Zumbusch, erected in front of Haus Wahnfried — it was a gift for Richard Wagner’s birthday.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.