Wednesday, July 12:
In the morning I express to R. my misgivings about Parsifal and Kundry's having to play out their tragic scene amid all the luxuriant flowers, and observe that, at any rate next year, a large expanse of foliage might screen them off during Kundry's approach. As we are about to drive off to the morning rehearsal, we meet Fraulein Malten, who has just arrived; she is very nice to look at, and she reminds R. of Wilh. Schr.-Devr., even in the way she looks at one. During rehearsal R. was vexed by the orchestra's having been invited to the Frohsinn, leaving the restaurant he has provided deserted. He talks to the orchestra about it, but this upsets him, and he does not feel well, though he jokes with the Knights.
[A few words based on untranslatable word play omitted.]
The rehearsal causes M. Brandt much trouble; the Flower Maidens are excellent. Frl. Malten has lunch with us and makes a good impression. In the afternoon scenery rehearsal with piano (M. Brandt, Gudehus), the orchestra looks on and again breaks out in applause at the transformation. But the exertion for R. is endless!
In the evening, after we return home, the weather clears up, and I sit at the salon door, listening to the birds; R. discovers me there and comes to listen with me - a moment (the only one) of recuperation. In the evening we are visited by Wolz. and Levi, our friend Jouk. brings R.'s anger down on his head with a somewhat ambiguous statement, and the evening comes to an awkward end! Stein gave me great pleasure by responding to my request to begin a Wagner lexicon; he reads to me his articles on German and on culture, which are excellently done, and I find them truly uplifting.