Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 6, 1873

Overview

The couple leaves for Dresden under a mood of transition, gratitude, and sensitivity to the feelings of others. On the journey Wagner speaks warmly of the narrator’s love and its civilizing influence, then revisits old landscapes and memories before attending a performance of Lohengrin. The experience is partly moving and partly frustrating, and the day ends with encounters that reconnect them to their wider family and social network.

Content

Thursday, February 6:

Packed the trunks; one reason why I am so anxious to leave is that Hans has advertised a concert for the 8th, and it is possible that he would be unpleasantly affected if he knew us to be still here. Took leave of Marie Schl.; in the train we think gratefully of her kindness to us and the loyal support we have found in her.

On the journey R. also talks about the significance of my love for him, how it has ennobled him even more than the love of the King of Bavaria. Amiable arrival in Dresden (R. wishes to get to know the tenor Herr Jager there), the outskirts remind him of all his outings from the time of his childhood to his wanderings as a conductor.

Putting up at the Hotel Bellevue, we learn that Lohengrin is being performed today; pleasantly surprised, we go in; in the first act R. is very gripped and moved, Elsa had some good expressions, and, as R. said, “one is so willing to become intoxicated.” But in the second act so many stupidities occur that we leave before the end. Meeting in the theater with our nieces and the Wesendoncks.