Tuesday, April 5:
Still worrying about Die Walküre: what to do, what to say, and how to find the will to work in such an atmosphere? R. forces himself, but with no enjoyment. R. reads in the paper that Hans has given a concert in Milan. Long letter from Councilor Duflipp: R. should come, but in a conciliatory spirit! We go out in splendid weather, encounter close to the house an unknown priest, it is the papal nuncio; concern about Fidi’s unchristened state.
The Swiss are protesting against the Vatican Council and end their protest with Schiller’s lines, “We want to be a single nation of brothers.” R. replies to D. in the evening, very calmly and clearly: they must do what they can. (Letter from Schuré and his wife: prospects of a Wagner concert in Paris.)
Prolonged contemplation (yesterday) of a sunset over the mountains, a lively breeze whipping up the blue lake, the peaks glowing serenely; thus our love amid the world’s turmoil, it will glow until death. R. tells me of his stay in Blasewitz (as a child)—how for the first time he saw members of the Burschenschaft [fraternity] in their old German costumes.