Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

R. told me of the Fata Morgana in Görres — if true, such a phenomenon, the reproduction of an event in the skies, is indeed most curious! R. says that such a Fata Morgana in the mind of a man is the A major symphony from the “Dionysia”. —  Much…

Errands for Fidi — R. receives a charming letter from his old friend Chandon; since the war we had abstained from champagne, but R. recently wrote to him, and the old friend replied with delight. R. continues reading Görres, I with Lichtenberg. I write to the Minister of Commerce regarding Berckefeld….

R. is engaged in extensive correspondence. Among other letters, he writes a reproving note to Mr Levi, who boasts of having secured a gratuity for the musicians coming from Munich to Bayreuth! "If not cunning, then heartily foolish." — The Misses Lehmann are conducting themselves most excellently! … I always…

As always, early breakfast in the summer cottage. R. writes, among other things, to his friend Gersdorff, who had written him a wonderful letter of thanks for the decisive counsel to become a farmer and give up the path of a state career. I work with the children and write…

Worked with the children. Spoke with R. about an ultramontane prophecy which foretells a great fire at the theatre [1] following the first performance. In the evening, Mr Unger came with Mr Rubinstein; the former was hoarse, yet sang some parts from “Loge” with a pleasant voice, but … Much…

Various errands for R. and me. A visit from Count Hohenthal-Buchau. R. begins Görres's “Mysticism”[1] without much enjoyment; he continually returns to the necessity for Germans to be familiar with Schopenhauer. In the afternoon, I drive with the Count to the theatre; in the evening, he joins us for tea,…