Diary Entry of August 15, 1876
Herr Betz delayed Siegfried by claiming hoarseness, stirring irritation and giving the hostile newspapers fresh material. The house was crowded with important visitors of every rank, creating a tense and busy atmosphere. Wagner himself is noted as remaining remarkably composed through it all.
Tuesday, August 15:
Herr Betz has Siegfried postponed! He says he is hoarse. Much ill feeling; the newspapers, already extremely malicious, will draw inferences from it. Andrassy, Radowitz, Keudell, all kinds of people great and small are here, everybody in fact! R. remarkably composed.