Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of March 3, 1872

Overview

A generous contribution from Hans Richter and signs of a Wagner Society in Pest bring some encouragement for Bayreuth. Still, R. does not compose and is worn down by the strain of visits and the confusion surrounding the Ninth Symphony, while I also note Nietzsche's letters and an ironic note from Ritschl. The evening turns sour when conversation falls on K. von Holtei, whose role in R.'s life I remember with strong dislike.

Content

Sunday, March 3:

Letter from Hans Richter, who is sending 1,000 florins to Bayreuth, the proceeds of a concert which he conducted. A Wagner Society is also being formed in Pest. Marie Schleinitz also writes and seems glad to be giving up the Israelite connections.

R. does no composing, but works on his 8th volume. He starts the day fairly well and lively, but in the evening he is run down - visits unfortunately always tire him.

Prof. Nietzsche sent us several letters, among them one from Prof. Ritschl to him, very ironical in tone. R. still does not know how things stand with the 9th Symphony, since all he is getting is confused letters. The mayor of Schweinfurt offers to play the drum!

The evening conversation unfortunately brings us to K. von Holtei, whose intervention in R.’s life was certainly the most repulsive of all.