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 its time, modern, and the portrayal of Thusnelda was somewhat like the silly German women who delighted in pleasing the French, while the historical realism of the costumes turned it into a farce. Nevertheless, it was interesting to observe, and some parts were even moving (Marbod with the children, the night scene). While we were with the Meiningers, elegant Berlin was cheering for “Die Makkabäer” by Anton Rubinstein;[3] a strange stance from our friend toward it, and toward us as well!
[1] Carl Emil Doepler (1824-1905), professor in Berlin, created the costumes for Bayreuth in 1876.
[2] “Hermannsschlacht” (The Battle of Hermann) is a drama by Heinrich von Kleist.
[3] “Die Makkabäer”, an opera by Anton Rubinstein, premiered in 1875 in Berlin.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.