Preparations for the arrival of the children, and rehearsals; in between, letters — I wrote to Dr. Standhartner, asking him to visit Hans and report to me on his condition. To no one can I describe the heaviness of heart I bear; I wish my children were already grown, that I might give everything over to them — all possessions — and go forth to serve! A time of cloudburst — the heavens unburden themselves.
In the evening, rehearsal; as a heavy thunderstorm threatens, the entire company departs, and we, pleasantly surprised, marvel to find ourselves once again alone in the hall [1]. R. reads to me the strangely clever letter from Mr. Brahms [2] to him — a note of thanks for sending “Rheingold”.
[1] Cosima and Richard referred to the large room facing the garden as the ‘Saal’ (hall) and the multi-story passage hall as the ‘Halle’ (hall/foyer). In English, it is the same word.
[2] See Cosimas entries of June 6th and 19th.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.