Today 150 years ago

R. wakes up crying and lamenting, having dreamed that, after some misbehaviour on his part, I left him. He also dreamed of four-hand sonatas played by his father, and a lady who mocked him, to whom he responded by giving her "a cuff"; despite all her pleading, I was determined…

A few days ago, R. told me that he has nothing but minuets in his head; he wrote down a theme from one of them. Otherwise, he is quite unwell; fortunately, it seems the change in the orchestra pit is not causing too much distress. I still have to get…

R. finishes his letter to the King; he complains about the dullness of his fellow citizens, and he says he would still likely have to give concerts for the building of the inns as well! … Beautiful weather; I pack for the two oldest children. R. goes up to the…

You can see what kind of peopleI have to do with in Darmstadt! Still no word has been received from the Kapellmeister there!!! I fear I shall be obliged to renounce all claim on the Darmstadt Orchestra. And now another thing which makes my heart heavy!I was at the theatre…

I receive various visits regarding the church carpet matter, and R. begins a long letter to the King. Delightful spring weather, which I take advantage of to travel to Fantaisie with the children. Memories of the beautiful days spent there. At dinner today, R., reflecting on Tribschen and the splendid…

Lovely spring weather. R. receives a charming letter from Sascha Ritter, who will entrust us with his son. – A lovely photograph of Fidi; the little children look so at home. R. says, "This difference between what one is and what one sees is almost impossible to reconcile. The children…

Dreadful night, wild dreams, likely due to the great fatigue. R. expresses his longing to be able to turn to some work. “Parcival”! He also wants to create “The Victors”. I too wish we were free from all this business! … A visit to the Feustels, the costs of the…

Various preparations for the journey, accompanied by much indescribable sorrow concerning the two older children! … I make several visits and run some errands. In the evening, R. vividly recalls “Faust”, particularly the scene with the Easter song with the walk and the first encounter with Mephisto, and reads it…