Monday, March 17:
We discuss at breakfast whether R. should or should not reply to the answer to the petition concerning the production of Hohengrin in Berlin; he decides to do so.
Lovely spring day; R. delights in the blue sky, it is only at the sight of it that one can feel oneself part of the earth, otherwise one feels as if one is in an isolated, gray cage. R. writes his letter and then reads it to me.
After lunch we visit our house, and in the evening go to the rehearsal of the 6th Symphony which the amateur orchestra is playing here under the direction of Herr Zumpe, our copyist. Again I have to admire R., who cannot let things be and gives words of advice to the poor people and their autocratic conductor. The tempi! . . .
Back at home we read a little of Elective Affinities. A significant letter from Countess Luise Oriola about State and Religion, which we sent her.
Talking about Elective Affinities, R. said, “With Ottilie everything is creative, original, it is something produced directly, whereas with the others (Charlotte, Hauptmann) it is like dealing with themes already in existence, an arrangement.”