Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of January 27, 1870

Overview

Official scrutiny of Cosima and silence from Berlin deepen the sense that external forces are hostile. Wagner experiences the unauthorized Walkuere performance as a heavy threat, declaring that only art and love keep him alive. The day closes with children’s music, Arabian Nights reading, and piano duets whose poor arrangements leave both adults dismayed.

Content

Thursday, January 27:

The police making inquiries about me, the matter is referred to the lawyer. No reply to me from Berlin. So the constellations from outside are evilly disposed—Die Walküre clouds all our thoughts of the world! “If the fires of art and the warmth of love did not sustain me, I should no longer be alive,” says R.

Piano practice with Lusch. In the evening The Arabian Nights with her. After tea played piano duets with R., much appalled by the poor quality of these arrangements.