Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of July 20, 1872

Overview

Richard joked that he must now compose verses for the end of the world, and then worked without interruption for the rest of the day. She stayed with the children in the garden while Loldi remained unwell, and a good medallion arrived from Vienna, along with a relieving letter from her mother. In the evening he sang from Tristan and told Nordic sagas, but refused to perform more because his final scene still demanded all his attention.

Content

Saturday, July 20:

R. says he must now compose his verses for the end of the world, and he does indeed work without stopping. I with the children in the garden. Loldi still not cured.

Letter from my mother, who is now sufficiently recovered to be able to write to me. The medallion arrives from Vienna; it is very good. In the evening Herr R. and the Svendsens; R. sings the first scene of the third act of Tristan, but forbids anything more of his own, since he is too much occupied with working out his last scene. R. relates some Nordic sagas.