Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of September 1, 1880

Overview

R., after a good night, joked about my stigmata but soon turned to money troubles and his exhaustion with the Ring, lamenting that financial need forced him to negotiate with theaters and dream aloud of going to America to preserve Parsifal. He wrote on Jager’s behalf, walked with the children along the highway, and ended the day listening as Pepino sang folk songs and comparing them with what a true artist can make from such melodies.

Content

Wednesday, September 1:

A good night for R. He wakes up after it and jokes about my stigmata. Friend Rub.'s departure brings him to the subject of his own situation. He says he is sick to death of the Nibelungen; now that he has released it to all the theaters, a manager in Königsberg is demanding it; instead of simply refusing, he has to negotiate with him, since he needs the money. This is why he wants to go to America, he says, to earn money and at least to keep Parsifal unencumbered.

Departure of friend R. Recently, discussing his unevennesses, R. said, "One cannot just let him go, because he will not go!" R. writes to Richter, demanding an engagement for Jäger. In the morning he ruled lines, and he says how remote orchestration now seems to him.

In the afternoon we go for a walk along the highway with the children, a refreshing, German walk. In the evening Pepino sings folk songs to us; R. then plays something from La Muette, pointing out the tremendous difference and what an artist adds to a folk melody.