Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 21, 1872

Overview

Wagner finally has a better night and moves ahead with the eighth volume of his writings, taking satisfaction in including his Munich struggles. He finishes Siegfried's reply to the Rhinemaidens, cutting lines he finds too meditative, and she is struck by the result when he plays it to her. The day ends in fog and showers, with a drive, more reading, and then an interruption at night when Vreneli goes into labor and gives birth to a daughter after hours of shared suffering.

Content

Wednesday, February 21:

R. had a good night; let us hope things will now go better. But alas, too much lies ahead!

R. is editing the 8th volume of his writings and is glad to be giving in it a picture of his work in Munich and his trials there; it starts with the essay State and Religion and peters out in the sands of Hiller!

R. works and completes Siegfried’s reply to the Rhinemaidens, cutting two verses, which are too reflective: “Siegfried is all action - though he does recognize the fate which he has taken on himself.” He plays me what he has just completed - sublime and tragic impression!

Fog and spring showers; we go for a drive, R. and I, he returns home alone on foot. In the evening we read State and Religion, but at 10 o’clock we are interrupted: Jakob announces that Vreneli’s time has come; I stay with her until three o’clock, when she gives birth to a girl: suffering and fellow suffering!