Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 14, 1875

Overview

She began the day at Herbeck’s concert, where Haydn’s G minor Symphony made a strong impression but Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang felt dreary and flight-inducing. Later came more theater annoyances, including a protest against Tannhäuser and demands for payment, before an evening performance of Kleist’s Käthchen von Heilbronn that moved both of them to tears despite being so badly played that the audience laughed through it.

Content

Sunday, November 14:

R. goes to rehearsal early, I to the concert conducted by Herbeck; a good and fine impression from a Haydn G minor symphony, Lobgesang by Mendelssohn, on the other hand, conducive to flight! ...

R. comes home and says that Herr Fürstner has lodged a protest against the performance of Tannhäuser and Herr Batz is demanding recompense for his alleged efforts!!

Visit from Marie D. In the evening to see Käthchen von Heilbronn; inevitably R. and I have to weep copiously, but the whole performance so atrocious that the audience was in continual laughter.