Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of June 13, 1872

Overview

A letter from Cornelius brings astonishing news of Weissheimer's success and returns the correspondence Richard had originally written, now replaced by a final newspaper statement. Richard is pleased with his second act and the medallion sitting, and the family goes into town to inspect the architect's work and the festival site, where the laborers make a strong impression. The day also includes a sharp rebuke to the Tagblatt editor for an improper article about the quarrel with Weissheimer, and a homeward ride in the family's memorable coach.

Content

Thursday, June 13:

From Cornelius with an amazing description of the Weissheimer success; he returns the letter which R. had written to W. in the first instance and which he then demanded back by telegram; in place of it R.’s last statement in the newspaper.

Sitting; the medallion will be good, I think. R. plays his second act and is satisfied with it, which pleases me all the more since he was recently depressed over the first act. Family lunch.

Then to town with R. First to our architect; R. very satisfied with the execution of his plan for our house. Then to the Feustels’, from there to the festival site; the working men make a fantastic impression on us. Back to the Feustels’; late in the evening home in our Fantaisie coach with its indescribable coachman, who always hastily puts on white gloves when he sees us coming, wears on his head a peasant’s hat from Dürer’s time, and has horses to match it.

Today we were also in the editorial offices of the Tagblatt to lecture the editor on an unseemly report (“Pen War Between Weissheimer and Wagner”) and to forbid him to mention R.’s name except in connection with the Bayreuth enterprise.