Sunday 20 Bayreuth Dearest Mother. I'm afraid this is the last letter from Bayreuth, how sad! Never mind, we've had an excellent good time undisturbed by any contretemps. Well, Friday which was a cold and stormy day, we had ni [sic] opera. We walked in pine woods in the morning and lunched at the Bürgerreuth - it was very cold! After lunch it began to rain so we hurried home, on the way inviting Miss Weisse and Tovey to come to tea. They came and it was most successful. Tovey played some of the Meistersinger after tea - we have a very bad piano. We dined at Riebenstahl's and went on to Frau Wagner's; it was most agreeable, not very crowded, but all the people we knew seemed to be there. Frau Cosima was most gracious, she's very striking to look at isn't she? After we had sat about for a little and looked at pictures and books some music began - a delightful Beethoven trio, then some singing (Burgstaller sang some Liszt songs quite splendidly, while Frau Cosima sat by and beamed at him) and then a Mozart quartet. It was all very good and very in a very delightful atmosphere. We were sitting with all the Harrach party most of the time; they certainly are charming people. Mr Benson was much to the fore, Mr Dugdale and Mr Lindsay were there, so we had plenty of little friends. Uncle Frank who had been very sniffy before going was much entertained. He was introduced to Ternina with whom he seems to have made the running! Hugo and I thought it frightfully interesting. It was so thrilling to see the house and to be in the atmosphere of it all. Siegfried Wagner is the only person round whom I could perceive no halo! Yesterday was again very cold. We spent the morning sightseeing. Isn't the opera house in the town a charming little place! We also examined the palace which is not very noteworthy. Uncle Frank was asked to sup with Frau Cosima between the acts, so we four dined alone. We supped after it was over with all the Harrach party. It had been a splendid performance, Richter conducted and the whole thing swung along magnificently. Frau Wagner came in to supper arm in arm and they had a tremendous reception. Van Rooy also, who had rung Hans Sachs extremely well, was wildly applauded. The only drawback to the evening was that it was so cold.
I hope this letter is intelligible. An American called Holl is paying a visit to Uncle Frank and telling most amusing stories about the Peace Conference from which he has just come. I had a most interesting letter from Elsa last night, telling all their news; please tell her I was so grateful for it. We got your telegram and were glad to hear that your journey was being a success. We all leave at 6.21 tomorrow, but I drop the others at Nuremburg [Nürnberg]. My journey will be of the most uncomfortable. I get to Geneva [Genève] at 12.45 AM and leave for St Michel at 3 AM! However with luck I shall get to the Lautaret on Tuesday afternoon. Oh, for fine weather! Ever your affectionate daughter Gertrude