Today 150 years ago

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…

Very tired, at times it feels as though I can no longer bear the day! … I went to the Trade Museum with Prof. Doepler and saw many interesting things. – R. was with Herr von Hülsen yesterday and thus put an end to a long-standing foolish behaviour on the…

Various errands, visits with R., and the niece Jachmann arrives as well. In the evening, with Prof. Doepler,[1] our costume designer, we went to see “Hermannsschlacht”[2] performed by the Meininger troupe; the play, despite many peculiarities, was very captivating, and the performance was quite remarkable. The poetry was distinctly of…

Letters from the children, all good. I received some visits. At five o’clock, I dined with the Helmholtzens at the Schleinitz house. In the evening, with Frau von Schleinitz, we listened to “Werwolf” by Count Hochberg,[1] neither worse nor better than any other music. At Frau von Schleinitz's, I saw…