Christmas errands — and with them much joy in the little ones, covering a deep sorrow! — R. must confer with our friend Feustel; Herr Fürstner and Herr Batz have joined hands to despoil him of everything! He will doubtless have to bring suit against both; dreadful glimpses into the worthlessness of men. — A pleasing letter from the Wagner Society in Munich; likewise from the choral personnel in Vienna. — Foremost among the news from Vienna is that the management does not permit Fräulein Siegstädt [1] to come to Bayreuth for the Siegrune. R. is greatly incensed! He writes to the Intendant’s councillor, Herr Lewy,[2] a letter which, fearing it might cause harm, I address to Bon Hofmann with the request that he set all in order. In the evening we receive the Shakespeare illustrations to “All’s Well That Ends Well”, sent to me by Herr Pecht; R. reads the play aloud, and once more, as if by enchantment, the nearness of genius heals all sombre thoughts. How noble the King, how magnificent the Mother, how vividly and gracefully drawn Lafeu, and how artfully wrought the conversations of the lords; the scene before the King with the ring — how compelling it is! — — —
[1] Singer in Vienna, the engagement for Siegrune did not materialise.
[2] Richard Lewy (1827-1883), 1870-80 chief musical inspector of the Vienna Court Opera.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.