Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of February 17, 1878

Overview

Eva’s birthday brings gifts, sunshine, children’s festivities, and a cheerful lunch, while Richard continues his work. The evening joins the end of The Presbyterians to another intimate Parsifal session with Seidl, and Richard tells the diarist that her gaze draws the very last note from him.

Content

Sunday, February 17:

Eva's birthday; I celebrate it first of all with the children in a rehearsal of the May Festival. R. works. At 10 o'clock the presentation of gifts, with the Meistersinger melody, merry lunch, sunshine; in the evening we finish The Presbyterians, regretting the obtrusiveness of the "educated" lovers' episode.

But before that Parsifal, our friend Seidl playing, R. singing - indescribable delight! When I thank R. for letting me be present at what he calls his studies with Seidl, he chides me and says, "When I see your eyes fixed on me, you could coax the very last note out of me."