Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 17, 1873

Overview

The morning is spent finalizing arrangements for a public reading, with Marie Schl. asking for delicate details to be removed from the introduction. Wagner is unwell and has had poor nights, but the reading of Götterdämmerung draws a distinguished audience and seems to make a substantial impression. The day also includes renewed discussion of the stalled Lohengrin performance, with hopes that the Wagner Societies can press the matter. Social success follows for the narrator as well, though Wagner jokingly claims she stole some of his thunder.

Content

Friday, January 17:

In the morning to Marie Schl.’s to make some final arrangements with regard to the evening; she requests the removal from the introductory remarks of certain details, the mating, the pregnancy, out of consideration for prudes!

R. is not well, bad nights. Departure from the hotel at 7:30. The reading of Götterdämmerung starts at 9 o’clock before a mixed but very select audience (Lepsius, Helmholtz, Delbrück, Moltke, the Crown Prince of Württemberg, Prince Georg of Prussia, virtually all the ambassadors). I cannot judge the impression the reading made, but I believe it was considerable. It is 20 years since I first heard this work, in Paris, read by R.!

The lady in waiting Countess Oriola talks to me about the performance of Lohengrin, says the Emperor does not know that Hülsen has refused it; R. should make an application. It is decided that the Wagner Societies should make this application.

Many friendly ladies (Princess Biron, Countess Voss, Frau v. Rochow). Marie Schl. says I was a great success, and R. told me jokingly that I ruined his own successes, distracted attention from him!