I paid a few calls, among them on Prof. Sickel, Semper’s son-in-law, who related to me the pitiful tale of Semper’s treatment in Vienna! Meanwhile R. heard Handel’s “Cecilia Cantata” [1] and is much delighted with the performance on Frau Wilt’s part, and profoundly moved by certain most ingenious passages in the composition. — In the evening, the third performance of “Tannhäuser”; R. was very weary, while I alone was once more deeply stirred.
[1] St. Cecilia’s Ode, 1739, by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759).
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.