Category: April 1875

R. insists that I come with him to Vienna, I would like to stay home to watch over the house. He is composing the concert finale for “Hagen's watch”,[1] which cheers him up. In the afternoon, we visit the theater; a renewed, dreadful impression—the earthworks have made no progress, all…

Good night for R., thank God he looks very well; much unrest in the house. In the afternoon, a walk in the Hofgarten, a visit to the mayor, discussions about accommodation, a great hardness of hearing. In the evening, a friendly chat with R. about the children and what might…

A day for letters and bills, the house in disarray. We hear that Hans has been swindled out of 1500 pounds in England;[1] tragic news. Notary Skutsch; a new mortgage! … In the evening, great fatigue. R. had wild dreams—an uprising of the mob against him in Paris, which he tries…

At 8 o’clock arrived in Bayreuth! The children at the station, happy and well. We were both in need of much sleep. In the evening, Feustel, tells us of a strange encounter with privy councillor Düfflipp, who could not have been more rude to him! …  In contrast, in Vienna,…

Preparations for departure; visit to Menzel, whose brother-in-law greets us with notes from “Götterdämmerung”; looked through portfolios. At one o’clock, lunch at the hotel with Lothar Bucher, much laughter about Mommsen, and the dishonest actions of him and other scholars regarding the Lauenburg affair.[1] We talked about the Prince, whose…

Long sleep, followed immediately by getting dressed for the second concert at 12 o'clock. Very pleasant, intimate atmosphere, better performance, familiar audience, Materna and Niemann in tears, R. cheered up afterward. Dinner at Poppenbergers’, with the Niemanns, Maternas, and Eckerts. In the evening at Helmholtzs’; made the acquaintance of Mommsen,[1]…