Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 12, 1873

Overview

R. writes to the Grand Duke of Oldenburg and the King of Württemberg to support his undertaking, while she worries that his score has stalled and may never be finished. The day is filled with anxiety over concerts, public rumor that the performance is in doubt, and a discouraging letter from Herr Zacharias. She also notes the king of Bavaria buying a castle and observes that R. is drawn again into commissions despite the strain it places on him. In the evening they read Lichtenberg’s letters, and she quietly fears that voicing her own concern would only deepen his troubles.

Content

Friday, September 12:

R. writes to the Grand Duke of Oldenburg and the King of W[urttemberg] in behalf of his undertaking. My heart is so heavy. How many days is it now that he has been unable to work on his score? I feel a real fear that, if things go on like this, he will never get his score finished. We are thinking again about concerts.

And the King of B. has just bought himself a castle for 200,000 florins! Letter from Herr Zacharias with many words of advice, but less sense, and even less activity. The newspapers are reporting that the performance of the work is now in doubt. Much worry.

In the evening we read Lichtenberg’s letters about Garrick. R. is happy with the progress panel on our house. I constantly feel that R. is again becoming much too much involved in commissions, but I do not dare to speak, for fear of exacerbating his great worries with my worries.