Category: February 1875

Heckel and Pohl[1] arrive. In the evening, a lovely dinner at the Dönhoffs, followed by a visit to Mrs. v. Meyendorff[2], who has just arrived. Traduzione in italiano di Claudia Bilotti [© Claudia Bilotti | WAGNER Salon] Revised English translation by Jo Cousins. [1]Richard Pohl (1826 – 1896) Writer and…

Received and responded to letters; many household troubles. Rehearsal from two o’clock until six, in my box with Countesses Andrássy, Dönhoff, Widenburg[1], Amadei. Everything is going well, although the same mutinous spirit of the orchestra still shows itself. Materna magnificent, Glatz is little expressive and less engaging! Most overwhelming impression!…

Your kind letter pleased and gratified me greatly. Accept my thanks for your so unusually considerate friendship. I regret that you are still obliged to keep up such a "lively" correspondence with Schott, as I can only infer this to mean that you are meeting with difficulties. . . ….

With R. to Haas[1], looked at oriental things and bought a few items. R. visits his friend, Princess Metternich[2], who, despite her affected hatred of Germans, greets him with great joy and leaves a decidedly pleasant impression. I visit Countess Andrássy with Marie Dönhoff, and the extremely favorable impression from…

Second rehearsal; the tubas are indeed here, but Richter forgot to have the harp parts copied. Resolved not to go to Pest, at least not to give a concert there. A mutinous spirit in the orchestra; because these people always have poor conductors, who can only maintain their position due…

First rehearsal – the incredible negligence of Richter (he did not send the tubas, and the promised tubists will not come![1]) causes much distress. Nevertheless, since the orchestra reads well from the parts, the impression is overwhelming. Everything previously known fades; like the most powerful force in nature, the music…