Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of April 14, 1879

Overview

On Easter Sunday, despite snow, Wagner feels well enough to work and later entertains the children with scenes from Rossini. He also reads a newspaper account of Struensee that reinforces his sense of rigid class boundaries and the danger of crossing them.

Content

Monday, April 14:

R. slept well and he works; he says he has so many possible ways of concluding his work. Wolzogen at lunch, chat about all kinds of topics, agreement on plans for the concerts.

I then go for a walk with R.; mild weather, pleasure in the town and its surroundings. Friend Heckel’s telegram is answered, the reply ends, “Oh, Albert!” This is because R. thinks our hotelkeeper is to blame for the laurel wreaths! (This is to take place tomorrow.)

Herr Rubinstein in the evening, R. goes through Auber’s Lestocq with him, then at my request he plays the Venusberg music, which gives R. much pleasure, too.