Cosima's Diaries

Diary Entry of November 5, 1880

Overview

R. starts the day by debating whether dependable singers or gifted ones are preferable, choosing correctness while I argue that real artistry cannot exist without talent. Bad weather keeps him indoors; the children and I go to The Merchant of Venice, while he retires early to bed.

Content

Friday, November 5:

R. asks me which I would prefer, correct singers without any great talent or the other way around; he says he prefers the former; I observe that there can be no artistic correctness, that is to say, no living performance, without great talent.

Bad weather, R. does not go out; for me and the children The Merchant of Venice; R. goes to bed.