Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of March 29, 1877

Overview

The day carried a solemn, penitential tone, and the diary dwells on tears, prayer, and the spiritual weight of the season. At the same time, there was practical and artistic progress: Heckel visited, discussion continued about the future of the Wagner Societies, and the first act of Parsifal was completed. Good Friday then became a quiet, reflective day marked by church, devotion, and music at home.

Content

Thursday, March 29:

Maundy (mourning) Thursday - many tears in my heart, may the Saviour receive them graciously! Richter departs; our good Heckel arrives, and he is going on from here to a Wagner Society meeting in Leipzig. R. tells him he would like the Societies to remain in existence, even though he cannot yet say for certain whither their activities should be directed.

Today R. concludes the first act of Parsifal.

Friday, March 30:

Good Friday, prayer, church, the Passion according to Saint John with the younger children. Stillness and meditation. In the evening my father plays his Funérailles and Saint Francis Preaching to the Birds, to the great delight of R. and myself. Contemplative day, one wish to the Redeemer!