Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 30, 1875

Overview

R. worked on his "Albumblatt" for Frau Schott and received friendly responses from several singers, but his own health remained poor and the rash on his fingers tormented him. Glatz was still ill, and with him the prospects for Siegfried seemed dim. I continued reading Gfrorer and was especially struck by the Jewish saying about praying for a good eye, humility, and a desire-free soul.

Content

Friday, January 29:

R. despondent on account of the hopelessness of Glatz. “I need savages,” R. says, “not cultivated barbarians.” I write to Baron Normann to inquire about a tenor, Herr Schwab, who has approached us.

I am now reading Lessing’s Nathan der Weise with the children and once more find much of it very moving; the voice of Assad, which rests in Saladin’s soul, moves me particularly. One forgets the voice of the dead, but it can be recalled. Truth, paid out like a coin in the monologue of Nathan, reminds one of the businesslike attitude of the Jews toward their God.

Conference regarding a restaurant to be built, one difficulty after another, but R. is still satisfied with the people on his management committee. In the evening read Gfrorer’s book.