Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

Concert at noon – a fine impression; “Hagen’s Watch” was repeated. R., however, is fatigued. Thereafter I visited, in the company of Prince Liechtenstein and Herr Standhartner, the picture gallery and the exhibition of flowers. – In the evening, Semper, very interesting, he literally comes alive in R.’s presence: a…

At rehearsal, “Hagen’s Watch” was sung most beautifully by Scaria. Dark colouring – – –  R., fatigued, retires to bed, I make a few visits. After dinner, we receive Director Jauner and Prince Rudolf of Liechtenstein; in the evening, our friend Lenbach. In the afternoon, I accompanied R. to pay a…

Not very good news concerning the concert—the receipts are expected to be rather meagre. At lunch, we are visited by Baron Hofmann and Director Jauner;[1] the former has, indeed, reshaped the operatic affairs much in accordance with R.’s own ideas. Richter, now Kapellmeister there upon R.’s recommendation, also makes his…

R. speaks of a possible performance of “Tannhäuser” in Vienna, with Materna, then Venus, “not the one born of sea-foam, but rather one smoked like a sea-foam pipe.” — At twelve o’clock, the burial of Rus; when I inform Fidi of the dog’s passing, he exclaims, “Ah, dear God in…

R. insists that I come with him to Vienna, I would like to stay home to watch over the house. He is composing the concert finale for “Hagen's watch”,[1] which cheers him up. In the afternoon, we visit the theater; a renewed, dreadful impression—the earthworks have made no progress, all…

Good night for R., thank God he looks very well; much unrest in the house. In the afternoon, a walk in the Hofgarten, a visit to the mayor, discussions about accommodation, a great hardness of hearing. In the evening, a friendly chat with R. about the children and what might…