Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 19, 1875

Overview

They returned home to Wahnfried tired but content, with Siegfried bright and animated throughout the journey. Prague left one last affectionate image in the child’s remark about Count Pachta’s house, and the homecoming was followed by a stack of letters, including Betz’s rather dim note about Niemann wanting to sing all three roles; Wagner also sketched the opening scene of the Vienna Tannhäuser plan.

Content

Sunday, September 19:

Home in Wahnfried, somewhat tired but very content, Siegfried the whole time lively, cheerful, alert. “Papa, there is your house,” as we left Prague, pointing to Count Pachta’s house on Breite Strasse, where he was told yesterday R. had lived.

Many letters awaiting us; one from Herr Betz, not exactly perceptive, for he says that his friend Niemann wants to sing all three roles, and that “impresses” him. Sketch for the first scene [of Tannhäuser] in Vienna; it has