Diary Entry of August 2, 1876
The day was crowded with arrivals, including Olga Meyendorff, and there was a family lunch with her father. Lulu was judged very well mannered, but the evening performance of Siegfried brought mixed feelings: Unger was fairly good, Niemann was prejudiced against him, and much of the stage business still felt unsatisfactory. Even so, the work’s overwhelming power came through, despite costumes that bordered on ridiculous, especially Alberich’s coat and epaulettes.
Wednesday, August 2:
Many arrivals, family lunch with my father; Olga Meyendorff also here. Lulu considered very well mannered.
In the evening, Siegfried; Unger quite good. Herr Niemann is very prejudiced against him. Much that is unsatisfactory. The costumes, particularly Alberich’s, almost ludicrous - Alberich with coat and epaulettes; overwhelming impact of the work, transcending everything.