Category: July 1874

Further study between R. and his singer. Family lunch with Herr Betz as guest. In the evening, news of the assassination attempt on Bismarck. Great consternation. One can almost see it as a sign of good fortune—how a star shines over the German Empire. I remark to R. that the…

A tenor, Herr Unger, is introduced to us today—perhaps for Loge. With R. paid a call on a very pleasant family here named Braun. Family lunch, with no guests. In the evening R. goes through the 3rd act of Siegfried. He is very worn out by it.

R. studies with Herr Betz, very enjoyable. After that lunch to celebrate the completion of the salon, with the Feustels and the Grosses; R. drinks to his guests and says that a heathen god (Wotan) has given us his blessing. Feustel then rises and speaks very handsomely about the enrichment…

A prolonged and good spell of work with Lusch—literature, English, French. In the afternoon arrival of Herr Betz, who came together with Herr Brandt. Since “an engineer” had been announced, I took (as a result of my weak eyes) Herr Betz to be this man, and when R. entered and…

R. receives a letter from Councilor Dufflipp: the King sends friendly greetings to him and me. He orchestrates a page of Götterdämmerung. In the evening the musicians again; we learn that the article, which has been reproduced in all newspapers, has alarmed some singers, who however much they would like…

Severe thunderstorm in the morning, it felt as if Wahnfried would collapse. — Visit from the conductor Doppler from Vienna. R. discusses his Viennese experiences. — Regarding the present state of affairs fit is said that the Jesuit university in Lille is now to be built in great splendor), R….