Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of October 18, 1877

Overview

Lulu was allowed to hear the reading of Parsifal, which was felt as a meaningful blessing for the child. Bernays spent the day with the family, and the conversations ranged widely across literature, religion, society, and the theater, which was being criticized as increasingly vulgar.

Content

Thursday, October 18:

Yesterday Lulu was allowed to attend the reading of Parsifal; I think of the blessing which has thus descended on my child, and wish and hope that it may bear fruit.

Prof. Bernays spends the day with us; lunch passes in lively conversation, and the evening as well, for this well-informed, fiery, remarkable man seems really to understand R. We discussed so many things: literature, religion, society, and especially the theater, which has become so vulgar. R. talks about his theme for a comedy: Lessing and Frederick the Great, General Tauentzien in Breslau. Misunderstanding and delight of the two great men who had so much in common.