The first letter from the children at the Luisenstift; they seem content! … I travel to Prof. Österley,[1] who takes me to the museum, where there is a beautiful Miereveldt,[2] a fine Titian, a fine Rubens. At 2 o’clock, we depart for Braunschweig; R. is uncertain about Miss Weckerlin[3] (Sieglinde or Gutrune). At the hotel, as is now customary in Germany, everything is rather sparse. In Braunschweig, we are received and shown around by Kmeister Abt.[4] A very pleasant impression of the city (as R. says, “Patience, patience, even if the house should fall!”), R. visits the intendant, Herr v. Rudolphi,[5] who makes a good impression on him. In the evening, a few enthusiasts for supper, with a cheerful and pleasant mood.
[1] Karl Österley (1805-1891), German art historian and painter, Hanover court painter since 1844.
[2] Michiel van Miereveldt (1567-1641), Dutch painter.
[3] Mathilde Weckerlin (1848-1928), singer, performed Gutrune in Bayreuth in 1876, and at the Munich Court Opera from 1876-92.
[4] Franz Abt (1819-1885), German composer of popular songs and male choruses, such as “Wenn die Schwalben heimwärts ziehn“; conductor.
[5] Herr von Rudolphi: Intendant in Braunschweig.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.