Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of December 1, 1875

Overview

Princess Hohenlohe tried to intervene when R. summoned Herr Jauner, and in the end R. softened his threat to abandon "Lohengrin" for the moment. The day was otherwise heavy with discouragement: reports about Hans’s American success brought no joy, rumors about Marie Hohenlohe were ugly, and a performance of "Nero" offered little relief. Even a reception meant to preserve support for the Hagen role felt more like another duty than a pleasure.

Content

Wednesday, December 1:

R. asks Herr Jauner to call on him, to make known his intentions. The director is so alarmed at the thought of R.’s leaving that R. then promises him to go on trying with Lohengrin. Much upset by this...

Prince Liechtenstein brings along his son Ulrich to play with Fidi. Countess Krockow sends me a report from America, in which much is made of Hans’s successes. I no longer have the strength to feel pleased, so conscious am I of the evil star here so cruelly exerting its influence - oh, God, when will all this boundless suffering end?

I hear many bad reports of Marie Hohenlohe. She is truly wicked and false. Performance of Nero by Herr Wilbrandt - no pleasure in it, and even less in a reception given by Herr Scaria, which I attend just so that he will not give up the role of Hagen and deprive us of other singers, too!