Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

In dull weather accompanied the charming little Countess to the railroad station. Is anyone happy? Spent the rest of the day with Lenbach. My father writes that Hans has 150,000 francs set aside for the children. Visit of Herr v. Gersdorff to my father. Friend Feustel with us in the…

Fine morning, drive with our friends to the Fantaisie, at lunch the mayor and the dean. In the evening R. reads Parzival* to our two friends. Whether they appreciate it I do not know, but it again moves me unutterably.

First visitor in the morning; friend Lenbach; great joy at seeing him again. At one o’clock the little Countess*, friendly meeting. Lenbach delights us with his pleasure in Bayreuth, which he finds interesting. Drive to the Eremitage. Richter returns home on foot with the children, but sprains his ankle on…

Marvelous clear weather, yesterday R. pointed out to me the crescent moon with the evening star, that lovely celestial emblem. The marble slabs bearing the motto are affixed to our house, people in the street watching curiously. We receive reports about Tristan und Isolde in Weimar, a very nice one…

The weather has turned mild again. Worked much with Lusch. — A lot of bills are coming in; I remark to R. how curious it is that I, who have never known real financial need, should be in a constant state of worry, whereas he, who has suffered so much…

Much to do with Maurer, the hall is not yet finished. R. works, wonders frequently, since he never hears the orchestra, whether he is not using too many instruments. After lunch childhood memories; he used to pronounce Shakespeare “Shar-kespay-ar” until a Frau Dr. Schneider, with whom his family spent one…