Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

R. still occupied with his library, I have all sorts of things to do in the house and with Lusch*. In the afternoon looking over the accounts, always a worry to me. In the evening the musicians, we settle ourselves on the stairs. “The Decameron**,” R. says to me and…

Arrival of the photographs of Marie Muchanoff, sent to me by Frau Standhartner, a moving moment, transporting me with R. into memories of her personality. “Her downfall,” R. observes, “was her inability to find words for the enthusiasm which she proved in deeds.” —  Yesterday R. talked about Nicolai, who…

R. is still occupied with the task of arranging his library. I have to take care of several errands. In the afternoon the Woodbird and Erda, two young ladies from Mannheim; intelligent and diligent, but as always study reveals how falsely they have been trained and how nobody can grasp…

R. has received a letter from Herr Ullmann regarding Lohengrin in London, and recommending the famous [Kristina] Nilsson. — R. says, “If only all these influential connections did not fill one with disgust!” …  He felt like a ghost, he said, when he was among singers—their conversation, their amusements so…

The hall finally furnished and looking lovely. R. very pleased with it, I haunted by the constant fear that we are heading for disaster. — R. wants to terminate his contract with Schott and writes to Herr Batz about it. — Scaria works in the morning with Richter, in the…

Quite a lot of things all at once; furnishing of the hall, which is to be consecrated today; visit from the machinist Brandt, arrival of the singer Scaria (Hagen) and visit from Frau Loper, back from Karlsbad. Herr Scaria sings some of Hagen’s music straightaway, but since he knows nothing…