Went to the Belvedere with Rich., then to see poor Semper, to look at his plans.[1] When I expressed some surprise at the dome with the four little cupolas, he said it was a concession he had made to his colleague! A most sorrowful impression. – – –
He remains poor in the midst of commissions and imperial protection, so poor that he dares not take a carriage, and appears so worn out that I do not believe he will live much longer. Yet these colossal plans are for a collapsing state. The Hungarians and the Germans form two factions at court: the former, full of hatred toward the German Empire, ultramontane in their views; the latter, in favour of an alliance with Germany, and liberal. A strange conflict, with the Emperor caught in between, a tragic figure, indecisive and uncertain. Poor Semper, completely ignored by all of Germany, now building for this state and is perishing from this task!
In the evening, worked through the third act of “Götterdämmerung” at the Standhartners’ on the piano.
[1] These concern the construction of the New Hofburg in Vienna, together with Hasenauer.
Revised English translation by Jo Cousins.