Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 2, 1869

Overview

An industrious morning with the children, the botanist, and Hermann Brockhaus is transformed by Hermine's report that Liszt remains well disposed and Richard's surprise announcement that he will return that evening. Cosima fetches him with the four children and two dogs, and he reports that Rheingold is impossible under current staging and political conditions. Judith's warning against Marie Muchanoff makes Cosima regret past confidences, while Richard is simply glad to be home.

Content

Thursday, September 2:

Industrious morning with the children, the botanist here. At midday visit from Professor Hermann Brockhaus, a nice little chat.

Letters from Hermine and the head of the Marienanstalt. Hermine has seen my father, who is still well disposed toward me.

At 4 o’clock surprise and joy: R. announces his return this evening. With the 4 children and the 2 dogs to fetch him.

Rheingold impossible; the return of Richter to the conductor’s desk would be the signal for the resumption of the old witch hunt against us and the King; and besides this, the staging of the work is so abominable that the machinist is demanding three months to put it right. But the whole world is said to be in Munich.

Judith sends me a warning against Marie Muchanoff; I regret the confidences I made to the latter. R. well, he is only too glad to be here again!