Monday, July 24:
R. had a good night’s rest. I have all sorts of purchases to make in town; in the meantime R. strolls in the garden and, catching sight on Jouk.’s balcony of someone he takes to be Malwida, makes all kinds of gestures of humility and apology. On inquiry, it turns out that the woman was Judith Gautier. In the Tagblatt there are reminiscences of 1872, the 9th Symphony, the laying of the foundation stone, and R. is very touched. At 4 o’clock we have the dress rehearsal. R. finds the tempi in the first act drawn out rather too long; he is also not satisfied with the lighting. The second act goes better. Between the second and third acts we have our supper. In the third act he is very touched; since my father and Daniela leave in order to meet our friends the Schleinitzes, R. exclaims bitterly, “More of this obsequiousness, D------ take you all!” There are many strangers present; since there is applause at the end, he acknowledges it ironically from our gallery. To me he makes the remark that as a member of the orchestra he would not like to be conducted by a Jew!