Saturday, May 12:
Crystal Palace, flower show, and then our third concert in the afternoon; Materna magnificent in Die Walküre; the “Ride of the Valkyries” repeated.
R. is received by the Prince of Wales, who says he was present at the Philharmonic concert 20 years ago. R. repeats something the Queen said to him then, that all the Italians here were Germans and, in consequence, R.’s works could very well be performed here.
But R. very depressed, we spend the evening quietly at home; I write some letters. Herr Batz impertinently approaches us again on behalf of Herr Brandt.