Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of March 27, 1872

Overview

R. wakes determined to consider drastic options, including a contract with Schott for the Nibelungen and even a retreat to Italy, because Bayreuth’s independence now seems compromised. They wait anxiously for replies from Munich and Bayreuth, all while he is still expected to compose and yet can still show her the musical theme he drafted before dawn. News from Dresden is meager, with only the cellist Grutzmacher and an Italian cellist volunteering, and the evening brings another letter from Meysenbug and more Menzel.

Content

Wednesday, March 27:

R. awakes early; he is thinking of giving everything up, making a contract with Schott, assigning the Nibelungen to them for a lot of money, and traveling with me to Italy. “This proud Bayreuth edifice was based on my personal independence, and this root is defective.” We intend to await the outcome of the two letters to Munich and Bayreuth.

With all this he is expected to compose! Yet he showed me a theme which he had worked out in his notebook early this morning. Naturally enough our conversations keep coming back to this latest trial.

The only musician in Dresden to volunteer for the performances in Bayreuth is the cellist Grützmacher, and there is also a cellist from Italy, while we ourselves are wondering whether we shall now remain in Germany!

Letter from M. Meysenbug. More Menzel in the evening.