Thursday, July 6:
R. had a good night, he spends the morning quietly, and at 12 o'clock we drive together to the theater to try the bells, which are much improved this time. At 1 o'clock we give a dinner for the tenors, and the fine Amfortas (Reichmann) is also present. At 5 o'clock rehearsal of the first act. Trouble with the choral singers: the ladies do not wish to go aloft, and R. finds they do not sound right if they stay below. R. and I climb up and find that it is indeed very hot, but the trouble can be cured with lighter clothing. Everything else goes splendidly, and the impact grows steadily stronger. In the evening R. is very tired.
Friday, July 7:
R. had a very restless night, and the morning brings me various burdens (Jager, Countess Mazzarino, Ritter, Betty Braun). At around 12 o'clock we go to the theater to rehearse the choruses; everything runs smoothly, and they climb to positions halfway up. On our way there R. told me that he is giving up the idea of allowing the boys to come down and take part in the Communion ceremony, since they have not yet been confirmed and he does not wish to give any offense. Amfortas's litter is adjusted. We lunch by ourselves. In the afternoon rehearsal Herr Siehr sings Gurnemanz, and the choruses stand up above; Fischer takes over the conducting. The effect increases as it all gains in depth. In the evening we are visited by our friends Heckel, Brandt, Levi. R. is tired, but we stay up a little longer by ourselves, chatting about "everything."