Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

Walked to the theater in the morning with friend Gersdorff. Said goodbye to him. He found the sight of the theater in the morning light truly magical. The unceasing activity amid all the splendors of Nature has its effect on me, and how movingly! — After lunch R. and I…

Making all sorts of provisions for my departure, letters, etc. R. works, at 1 o’clock arrival of our friend Gersdorff, who spends the rest of the day at Wahnfried. In the evening Bach preludes. — Many things discussed, a new gun with an unrestricted range has again been invented, the…

Lusch’s birthday, all kinds of little provisions to be made, between the Hoffmann capers! He has been persuaded to renounce his participation, and the management committee is to pay him 600 thalers in compensation for his inactivity during the past months! —  After lunch R. told us tales of his…

Anonymous stupidities and perpetual Hoffmann capers—the good professor has now got his brother-in-law to come from Vienna. The mayor told me in the afternoon of the horrible quarrels which had taken place, when the claim of honor had been utilized to improve the deal!! …  In the evening a small…

Twenty-one years ago today I saw R. for the first time!… He works on his score, I occupy myself with the children. In the evening we read Anabasis, noting particularly the role which sacrifice played even in this late period and in the mind of such a free spirit as…

Visit of a Herr von Balasy and wife, enthusiastic supporters of R. R. works; the day before yesterday he set the ravens croaking, and yesterday he said, “Nobody will be able to say that Hagen strikes down Siegfried without a backward glance, since he stabs him in the back!”  For all…