R. still has numerous remarks to make, and matters of stage action (lighting, etc.) to examine. — He returns home in the afternoon much out of temper; the costumer had told him that Princess Hohenlohe had sent to inquire whether the costume of Venus would not be “à la Offenbach”. He…
R. slept ten hours following yesterday’s exertion; we have not exchanged a word about the rehearsal, for I know only too well that nothing is more painful to R. than to speak further of the evil he has endured! — In consequence of this long sleep he is well and…
Much bustle over the dress rehearsal, which takes place at six in the evening — alas, only to R.’s sorrow! The orchestra spiritless, the ballet wholly unsuited to the music, the singers inadequate, the decorations poor, the stage machinery bungling. — Yet R. remains wonderfully calm, and at the close…
R. constantly much occupied and very out of sorts; Mrs Grahn causes him the greatest trouble, and not a single decoration is wholly to his liking. — Many visits; in the evening the Dönhoffs, the Széchenyis, Count Apponyi, Mihalovich. R. at first much displeased with the company, but afterward exceedingly…
R. holds separate rehearsals and returns home ever more out of humour. — In the evening, a quartet soirée by Hellmesberger; I make the acquaintance of Mr Brahms, who performs therein a piano quartet of his own composition — a rough, ruddy-looking man, his work very dry and affected. Traduzione…
Third orchestral rehearsal! — The impression of the work upon me beyond all words. — Numerous visits; in the evening Lenbach and Makart, taking leave (they are departing for Egypt), and Semper — the latter very weary and aged, yet wonderfully vivid when we came to speak of Michelangelo, who,…
