R. visits Rubinstein and is pleased to hear that he longs to return to Bayreuth. Receive visits, in the evening, a soirée at Makart’s studio in honor of R. –
Count and Countess Andrássy, Countess Széchenyi,[1] Countess Festetics, the Empress’s lady-in-waiting, who told me in the morning that this art to her was like the creation of the world… Countess Wickenburg,[2] Count Hoyos,[3] Count Wilczek,[4] Prince Liechtenstein, the Standhartner family, the Liszt family, Mr. and Mrs. von Angeli, Dr. Mosenthal,[5] Prince Metternich, the Hellmesberger Quartet, Semper (whom R. sees for the first time in 8 years and does not recognise at first), Countess Dönhoff, the Wolter family,[6] and many others, perhaps 60 people in total. A delightful celebration; everything, from the attire to the faces, especially presents itself in the best light, and the mood is the brightest of all.
[1] Hungarian noble family.
[2] Austrian noble family.
[3] Austro-Hungarian noble family.
[4] Count Johann Nepomuk Wilczek, primarily supported polar exploration, among other roles, president of the Geographical Society in Vienna.
[5] Dr. Salomon Hermann M. (1821-1877), Austrian dramatist and extraordinarily prolific opera librettist.
[6] Charlotte W. (1834-1897), actress.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.