Friday, September 7:
R. goes out with Fidi in the morning, resolved at last to find a teacher for him here; in vain, however. In the afternoon I have to lie down, and I reflect on an obituary for Marie Muchanoff, which has long been in my thoughts.
Saturday-Wednesday, September 8-15:
All sorts of things prevented my writing in my diary, among others the presence on the 14th and 15th of the various Wagner Society delegates to discuss measures to be adopted. Herr Schmidt from Viersen (no. 388) also came; his appeal has not yet borne much fruit, but we find his participation valuable.
On the morning of Saturday the 15th, R. made his speech in the theater, in wonderful weather; there seem to be great hopes of founding a school here. Friend Heckel proposes the establishment of a reserve fund, and 6,000 marks are subscribed. Once certain difficulties have been overcome, friend Pohl is to take over the Tagblatt here. Hans v. Wolzogen intends to take up residence here. Herr Hey is to be responsible for training singers. Herr Forges brings news from Councilor Diiifflipp that the first proposal concerning the Munich theater’s takeover of the Bayreuth festivals has not received the King’s approval, and now a second proposal has been put forward.
On Sunday the 16th, R. reads Parsifal to all our friends, who stayed on for that purpose, and it appears to have affected them all greatly.
In me all this planning arouses the sad feeling that R. is being diverted from his true creative work. I spent this day with Herr Tappert, showing him the papers and giving him some notes. On Monday the 17th, R. returns to his work; he seems really to be making sketches now. The heavens bless him and his work! This Monday also brings a teacher for Fidi: time now to become serious and abstract! The Wolzogens are still here; he pleases us with his deep and earnest character. R. works and writes to the King, telling him of the plans for the school and thanking him for his kindness in allowing the performances here to be taken over by the Munich theater. R. also writes to Councilor D. regarding the singing teacher Hey, who will now be a very necessary figure here.
For our reading prior to the meeting we had only Herodotus and, to our great enjoyment, King John.