From Emma Darwin to H. E. Litchfield [c. 13 April 1880]

Dearest H—

It was a complete success— I got there by 10^.^30 & found Amy & Rose about the 6^th row— The chorus (of 9^th symph) was over & I was glad to miss that— I heard the slow part w. was only too short the rest of it seemed to me repetitions & bangings without end mixed with heavenly little bits that you wanted to stop & have more of—

Watching the conducting was most amusing, especially his imitations of the instruments after it was over he made a little speech & was m. clapped by the orchestra. Then I moved a little under the gallery & found the echoing r less & the G—minor was perfectly resting & clear & played with wonderful fire. I watched F. a good deal & he certainly looked calm & quite up to his work & the 1^st violins never seemed to want any stopping except once—

After it was over F. brought down Richter a most jolly happy looking man who made some gracious joke in German to Rose— I had not m. talk to R. she was too m. up in the clouds, but I don't think she looked knocked up, nor Amy & I learned from her what they had been about— Fr. gives them a box for Lohengrin for the 2^nd time so I suppose he must have something to do w it. Rose said they were highly satisfied w. the results of the Concerts—

They came & saw me to my cab & I had a peaceful hour in the big waiting room w 2 newspapers & my sandwiches & a lady telling me all her experiences—leaving her purse & finding it again. & 3 times finding herself seated by a suspicious character who was [routed] out by an inspector ""looking quite like a lady""—

I was v little tired yesterday but feel v m as if I wanted B. & S. today—but there is nothing to be done—