Thursday, August 5:
Arrival of the paper La Poupée Modèle, a great delight for the children. R. copies out his sketch for the King. Continued inking in the score. After lunch duets with R., a Haydn symphony. Visit from Count Bassenheim. The children cutting and pasting things from the book.
Letter from Lenbach, the painter. R. returns home from his walk, bringing a letter from Dr. Hallwachs. It is true that Hans learned in passing of Siegfried's birth. I regret not having informed him of it personally; R. reproves me for this thought and says it was proper that I did not do this. Heavy feelings; may Hans recover his spirits!
In the evening a Haydn symphony; great delight in its masterliness. “In him,” says R., “one clearly sees how the popular genius finds its way. The form is more compact than in Mozart; he always went after the melody, had no time to spare for the work, with the exception of the four great symphonies. That is why these Haydn works are also much more interesting.”
I hardly dare admit to myself how much I long for death.
A telegram from Richter reports that they could not get the right singer for Alberich, and he asks whether they might accept the wrong one. R. replies, “Children and gentlemen, do what you will and can, but leave me in peace.”