Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 4, 1876

Overview

She and the children continued bathing while they prepared to leave for Rome, and R. buried himself in Sismondi to escape his worries. Talk turned again to the mounting deficit, a possible fourth performance, and the practical and artistic compromises that would follow from charging for seats. The discussion only deepened their anxiety, with the children remaining their only consolation.

Content

Saturday, November 4:

Bathing still for me and the children, both today and yesterday; we are preparing for our departure for Rome. R. assiduously reads Sismondi in order not to think about the things that grieve him. Heckel has suggested a fourth performance to cover the deficit. We discuss the necessity of charging for seats, which would compromise everything from the very start, then the angry mood of the singers when they are not allowed to appear again at the end. R. says the job ought to be done by people who take pleasure in such things, very well, it should be a sect; but can such people be found? Not in sufficient numbers when curiosity is lacking. Much worry, bitter worry. Our only comfort: the children...