Category: #countdown1876

R. always at rehearsals from eleven until two, thereafter much exhausted and seeking rest; later he takes a short walk with the children, while I pay visits — among others to Professor Hoffmann and his wife — a long and oft-repeated discussion of what was experienced last summer! … In…

Visit to the Court Library while R. has rehearsal; unfortunately, the guide proved more a hindrance than a help. Visits in the afternoon. In the evening, discussion of the entrance of the guests in the second act. It remains incomprehensible how distractedly and clumsily R.’s works are presented upon the…

R. has the first scene rehearsal;[1] he is more satisfied with Mr Labatt[2] than he had expected, but the Wolfram (Mr Bignio[3]) causes him unheard-of trouble. In the evening we go together to “Andréa”, an exceedingly poor play by Sardou, though very prettily acted by Mrs Niemann[4]. Later we spent the…

Rehearsals without end; for my part, occupation with the costumes — unprofitable, inasmuch as there is no time to bring forth anything truly beautiful. In the evening saw “Carmen” [1] with R.; thereafter I went to the artists’ soirée. Much tastelessness. [1] ). “I am convinced that Carmen will be the most popular opera…

R.’s sufferings, that is to say, the rehearsals begin. I make many visits; in the evening at the ballet “Brahma” with the children. [1] Cosima and the children were at the Vienna State Opera that evening to see the ballet "Brahma" by choreographer Hippolyte Monplaisir (1821–1877). Here is the stage design (Act…