Troubled night with bad dreams; at breakfast with R., the entire conduct of the imperial authorities toward his enterprise is discussed; R. intends, after the rehearsals, to address them once more, but should nothing come of it, then to turn to the Americans. Inquiry sent to Miss Tietjens,[1] who is said to have sung the role of Ortrud splendidly, whether she will take on the part of Sieglinde. In the afternoon, arrival of the nécessaire, which the King of Holland had given to my father and which now has been gifted to me, along with the manuscripts (“Lohengrin”, “Tannhäuser”), a wistful impression. R. continues to rehearse with the singer Unger, some hope amidst much difficulty. We drive to the theatre; Brandt returns home with us; complaints about the indifference of the local people.
[1] Therese Tietjens (1834–1877), singer, though she sang Sieglinde, it was in fact J. Scheffsky who performed the role.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.