Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of March 4, 1875

Overview

Rich. and I went to the Belvedere and then called on poor Semper, whose projects we examined; his explanation of the four little domes made clear how much he had yielded to a colleague, and the whole visit left a painful impression. Though backed by imperial favor, he is still impoverished and visibly failing while being tasked with vast undertakings for a decaying state, a situation that seemed tragically out of balance. In the evening we worked through the third act of Gdtterddmmerung at Standhartner’s house with piano accompaniment.

Content

Thursday, March 4:

Went to the Belvedere with Rich., then to poor Semper, whose plans we looked at; in response to my slight surprise over the dome with the four little domes, he said it was done as a concession to his colleague. Very sad impression.

Despite his commissions and the Emperor’s protection, he remains poor, so poor that he does not venture to take a carriage, and he looks so worn out that I do not believe he will live long. Yet, in spite of it all, these colossal plans for a crumbling state! The Court is divided into two factions, the Hungarians and the Germans, the former staunch Catholics, full of hatred against the German Empire, the latter in favor of an alliance with Germany and liberal. A curious conflict, the Emperor a tragic figure between them, irresolute, uncertain. Poor Semper, ignored throughout Germany, is now erecting buildings for this state and going to pieces in the process.

In the evening went through the third act of Götterdämmerung in Standhartner’s house, with piano accompaniment.