Category: Cosima Wagner Diaries

A tenor, Herr Unger, is introduced to us today—perhaps for Loge. With R. paid a call on a very pleasant family here named Braun. Family lunch, with no guests. In the evening R. goes through the 3rd act of Siegfried. He is very worn out by it.

R. studies with Herr Betz, very enjoyable. After that lunch to celebrate the completion of the salon, with the Feustels and the Grosses; R. drinks to his guests and says that a heathen god (Wotan) has given us his blessing. Feustel then rises and speaks very handsomely about the enrichment…

A prolonged and good spell of work with Lusch—literature, English, French. In the afternoon arrival of Herr Betz, who came together with Herr Brandt. Since “an engineer” had been announced, I took (as a result of my weak eyes) Herr Betz to be this man, and when R. entered and…

R. receives a letter from Councilor Dufflipp: the King sends friendly greetings to him and me. He orchestrates a page of Götterdämmerung. In the evening the musicians again; we learn that the article, which has been reproduced in all newspapers, has alarmed some singers, who however much they would like…

Severe thunderstorm in the morning, it felt as if Wahnfried would collapse. — Visit from the conductor Doppler from Vienna. R. discusses his Viennese experiences. — Regarding the present state of affairs fit is said that the Jesuit university in Lille is now to be built in great splendor), R….

Did English, French, literature with Lusch, with much enjoyment; R. asks if I really believe that a child of this age can be interested in such things, though he remembers that when he was eight the poems “The Hostage” and “The Diver” had indeed made a tremendous impression on him….