Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 6, 1872

Overview

A cold from the previous day’s walk had taken away my voice, while R. stayed busy with work. I drove with our friend and the children to the opera house and the festival grounds, where the little ones supplied their own comic names for everything they saw. The evening brought conversation with our friends, along with R.’s playing of music from G?tterd?mmerung. The day closed in a mood of labor and domestic distraction, with R. still working.

Content

Saturday, July 6:

A walk we took yesterday has given me a cold, in consequence of which I have entirely lost my voice. R. works.

Coach muddles; I drive alone with our friend and Fidi and Lusch to the opera house, which she thinks splendid. Fidi says, “Papa concert.” Then to the festival site; Fidi: “Fidi’s house.”

In the evening, conversation on various topics with both friends. The Emperor, on catching sight of the heavily compromised courtier: “Good morning, Duke of Strousberg, or, rather, Banker Ujest.”

R. plays us “Hagen’s Call” and the Rhinemaidens from Götterdämmerung. R. works.