Thursday, May 23:
R. wishes to keep the little theater standing and to have a repeat performance today, for he says his emotion had made him miss much, and he now wants to enjoy it artistically. Siegfried, still somewhat hoarse, is put to bed, so as to be ready for the great moment. The second performance is also successful, and in place of yesterday’s tears and sobs we have cheers and merriment at the end. R. even takes pleasure in my little stage, says he loves such conventions; he says he had frequently wondered from where the children made their entrances, and he would now appoint me his stage director!
Added in margin: “Fidi somewhat hoarse, in bed for part of the day. We hear a noise, rush in, it is nothing: ‘When one is entirely happy, one is also truly unhappy,’ R. says. ‘Oh, these amenities!...’”
Reading in the evening. R. has written to Prof. Overbeck, thanking him for his nice letter; in it he mentions N. and says meaningfully that he hopes Nietzsche will one day thank him for not having read his book. R. thanks Herr v. Hülsen for his telegram. Herr Neumann writes that the Leipzig authorities have denied permission for performances in Berlin.
It is being said that the Emperor sent for Herr v. Hülsen and complained about having a work such as the Ring presented in the Viktoria Theater; it is possible that pressure may be put on the Leipzig authorities, and now reports say that the stage of the Berlin opera house is to be rebuilt! Herr v. Loen has written in connection with the suggested pension, saying that over 30 years R.’s works have brought in only 30,000 thalers! Curious indeed.