Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of May 9, 1872

Overview

After a stop at the photographer's, R. and the diarist visited Makart and admired his large Caterina Cornaro, though they still felt he depended too much on pictures rather than living impressions. She again bristled at newspaper gossip about her life with R. and the false claim that they had appeared together in the foyer, all of which sharpened her dislike of the press. The birthday lunch was followed by an outing to Dornbach and an evening gathering at Dr. Nettke's with patrons, Wagner Society members, Lenbach, and Makart, where Bayreuth was toasted and R. answered by placing his trust in the German spirit.

Content

Thursday, May 9:

To the photographer’s; he had begged hard. Then R. and I with Countess Dönhoff to Makart; saw the large picture of Caterina Cornaro. Great talent, but again everything influenced by pictures, no living impressions! But an outstanding talent.

Countess D. says there is much in the newspaper about me and my life with R., and also asserting that she had paraded with R. in the foyer, this miserable press! Thank God that it will stay away from Bayreuth. The Nationalzeitung has already written to R. offering to send Herr Gumprecht, but he is being firmly repulsed.

Birthday lunch, then drove out to Dornbach. In the evening a party at Dr. Nettke’s; patrons, members of the Wagner Society, Lenbach, and Makart. Herbeck proposes a toast to Bayreuth; R. replies that he puts his trust in the German spirit. Unfortunately too much to eat and drink.