Thursday, May 5:
The night was somewhat restless; I beg R. to allow me to accompany him wherever he has to go, because his mood is despondent. First of all we make some purchases for him, then we drive to the Viktoria, where he intends to surprise a rehearsal. The janitor receives him with 'Your Excellency,' and, arriving on the stage, which is still lit, we are told by a curtsying woman that it is all over.
We drive to the director's in order to make some additional arrangements about the lighting, but before that R. was in such good spirits that he suggested going with me to the museum. Solemn and sublime impression made by the Pergamon group in the rotunda. Then upstairs to the pictures. We come upon a sign, 'Entry Prohibited'; stop, a man says to us, 'For you no entry is prohibited,' leads us through boldly, whispers something in the astonished custodian's ear, and returns: 'I believe I have the honor of talking to R. Wagner?' 'My name is Wagner.' 'May I shake your hand?' And he disappears. We look once again at the Greek discoveries and then drive to the director's.
The meal at the Schleinitzes' begins with R.'s being somewhat subdued, but he gradually livens up. His main theme of conversation is Gobineau's work. The minister, telling us about life in Berlin, is always highly interesting and original. We drive to the theater with Lusch. R. is received with a flourish and applauded enthusiastically. The performance is on the whole so excellent that R. has the desire to acknowledge the applause from the stage with the singers. He makes a little speech and indicates the artists; the merit is theirs and they deserve the applause. R. is much exhausted by his speech, and particularly by the urgings of the singers, who do not wish to go before the audience disperses, we witness, to our amazement, a machinery rehearsal in the darkened theater!
We drive home in a somewhat weary mood, gradually cheer up, and spend a while together, drinking champagne. Scaria excellent as Wotan and the whole performance extraordinarily lively. R. thought it not bad that an intermission was inserted. Unfortunately it was necessary to use steam between the Rhine scene and Valhalla in order to drown out the sounds of the scene changing - an embarrassing absurdity. A letter from Count Gobineau; he is at Wahnfried and seems to be quite happy with the children.