Category: April 1875

R. slept well, in a cheerful mood; I pay some visits with the friendliest company (Helmholtz, Luise Oriola, Princess Biron). At half-past seven, the concert; I am in Mimi’s box with Bonin Loë, Frau von Bülow[1] (Undersecretary of State), Prince Liechtenstein, and others. Great enthusiasm, according to Berlin’s standards, but…

General rehearsal: R. not feeling well; we go with Frau Wesendonck. Many friends are there, and there is great emotion (Prof. Helmholtz is constantly in tears listening to the divine things). I am indescribably shaken; the entire conclusion is essentially a paraphrase of the unwritten words [1]: “Not the glitter…

Rehearsal at 10 o'clock; the orchestra is getting more fiery and better, as usual after some interactions with R… He is, however, very tired. He lies down for a bit, and I pay some visits, taking care of the distribution of tickets for the general rehearsal. In the evening, we…

Day of Repentance, everything is closed, but I manage to get the museum opened with Prof. Doepler; great pleasure in the old pieces and the newly acquired ones, especially a head by van Eyck[1] and a portrait by Velázquez.[2] Returning home, I find R. in great distress, overwhelmed with visits,…

The first real rehearsal; Mr. Bilse gives a speech, and the orchestra seems to be ashamed. As always, there were some very competent people present who instilled a sense of duty in the others. It goes very well right from the start; R. jokes and teases the people about the…

R. is tolerably well, slept well, first outing for rehearsal at 10 o'clock; met at the door by Dr. Davidsohn, 40 music stands were missing. A walk with R., breakfasted in the arcade, and by eleven, we were again at the concert hall. The orchestra was rebellious, with an uneven…