Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of March 17, 1874

Overview

Errands, poor weather, and R.’s illness make the day laborious, and his remarks reveal a deep fatigue with his own creative past. The reports of vulgar public successes for his works only sharpen the irony, while the reading of Tieck restores some appreciation for serious criticism of the theater.

Content

Tuesday, March 17:

Very bad weather; many errands in connection with Boni’s birthday. R. works, but is unwell.

News of the success of Rienzi in the Teatro La Fenice, an ironic impression; in Brussels, Tannhäuser with a ballet in the second act finds favor! R. says that his creative work no longer gives him pleasure; he has forgotten the moments of inspiration and can only remember the difficulties and sufferings he has gone through on account of his works.

In the evening we read Tieck, the critique of Wallenstein; we do not agree with everything he says, but we are pleased by the great warmth and acute observation in this essay. Tieck was also earnestly aware of the level to which the theater has sunk.