Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 11, 1873

Overview

A series of foolish or annoying letters and shipments set the tone, including a sculptor’s note, a theatrical proposal, and the arrival of the original scores of Lohengrin and The Flying Dutchman when they had wanted something else. The narrator felt hurt that her father had sent the box without affection, and she worried about the interpretations others might make. More bad news came from Herr Bate about a Wagner Society in Frankfurt being discouraged by the circular. Despite the vexations, she wished R. would simply work without being tormented by what happens to his compositions, and the evening ended with a final social encounter with Schure before they let him go to France in thought and conversation.

Content

Thursday, September 11:

Foolish letter from Gedon, the sculptor; silly communication from Herr Herrig, who has written a Barbarossa and an article on the theater. In this latter he makes proposals for a playhouse.

Arrival of the box containing the original scores of Lohengrin and Der Fliegende Holländer, the unpleasant feeling that my father has sent it without love. We had asked him for a copy of the parts not yet published; now he sends us the whole thing, and I know what comments others will make about this. Angry letter from Herr Bate, who says someone was about to form a W. Society in Frankfurt, but had been frightened off by the circular.

Oh, how happy we would be if R. could decide just to work, and not to worry about what becomes of his works!

In the afternoon a sitting in the house, which is also an object more of vexation than joy. It is said the Crown Prince is not coming. Our last evening with friend Schure, whom we now with a quiet conscience yield to France. When we were talking together about London, R. said, “In Paris everyone going out on business looks as if he is going for a walk, and in London everyone going for a walk as if he is on business.”