Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of June 29, 1876

Overview

The third act of Siegfried demanded exhausting preparation from R., and the day was burdened by a discouraging rehearsal with Herr Kogel, repeated problems with the orchestra, and Unger’s continuing hoarseness. Financial strain and bad news from London and the war made the situation feel precarious, with each day costing thousands of marks. Still, there was real pleasure in Herr v. Hagen’s article on the first scene of Das Rheingold.

Content

Thursday, June 29:

Third act of Siegfried. R. is setting things up, very tiring for him; Herr Kogel in the morning, not very encouraging as Hagen; afterward the orchestra; in the evening, setting things up; Herr Unger, on top of it, still hoarse.

Herr Brandt is in despair, because the Bruckner brothers are leaving him in the lurch, the mechanics in London have nothing finished, and on top of it comes news of war! Herr Feustel is dubious; each day is costing 2,000-odd marks. R. compares himself to B[envenuto] Cellini casting Perseus.

Great pleasure in Herr v. Hagen’s article about the first scene of Das Rheingold.